Legislative candidate to fight for fishermen`s welfare

Jakarta, (Antaranews Bogor) - A regional legislative candidate from North Maluku province, Muhammad M Banapon, has stated that he was ready to fight for the welfare of fishermen through various partnership programs with the government and business realm.

"With abundant marine and fisheries resources in every island, we are ready to improve the welfare of fishermen across the province," Banapon informed Antara over his cell phone from Ternate on Thursday.

The noted figure of Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization from North Maluku stated that the welfare of fishermen on small islands in the province needs improvement, and he declared that he was ready to do so.

In his effort to improve the welfare of fishermen, he is determined to facilitate the farmers` business partnership with the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, and the fishing company PT Perikanan Nusantara.

Banapon explained that the partnership through a memorandum of understanding with the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and PT Perikanan Nusantara was made on March 20.

Further, he added that he will follow up the memorandum of understanding, besides making a partnership with Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to organize International "Kieraha" Festival.

"In September this year, we will conduct the festival as an international event to promote marine tourism in North Maluku and in other areas in eastern Indonesia," he asserted.

According to him, a coordination meeting to organize the event has been held and later this month, there will be a focused group discussion about the festival.

In addition, Banapon pointed out that he will facilitate education access for the children of fishermen in North Maluku for their human resources development.

"I will certainly try to help the fishermen`s children get Bidik Misi scholarship for higher education," he noted.