On July 29 2006, Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya informed the Indonesian governemnt of the release of all 9 Indonesian crew members of the South Korean fishing vessel Dong Won 628 in northern Somalia. The free Indonesians were moved to Mombasa port in Nairobi on July 30 2006 at 17.00 local time to be process home on the first chance out. The Indonesians are expected to arrive at Mombasa on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 and will be received by the Indonesian Ambassador to Nairobi.

 

In relations to the release of the 9 Indonesian crew memebers, the Department of Foreign Affairs had sent staffs to Tegal and Pemalang, the home disctricts of the 9 Indonesians to inform their families regarding their release.

 

Presently, Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi is preparing the safe passage home for the 9 Indonesians, which includes (1) coordinating with other Indonesian embassies and local government for the arrangment of the route home, (2) Assuring that the Indonesians receive their rights of salary when held hostages (3) Informing the rights to decide whether the crew member are willing to go back to work at the vessel or home to Indonesia.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs put forward concerns and protection for all Indonesian citizen abroad, not in particular the case of Indonesian crew members of Dong Won fishing vessel held hostages, and will monitor the development of the release of the crew member until their arrival in Indonesia.

Quoted from the Press Release of The Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs NO. 54/PR/VII/2006.