Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A Democrat Party lawmaker asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday to evaluate Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Fadel Muhammad`s performance following the recent arrest by Malaysian police of three Indonesian fisheries officers.

"There need to be an evaluation of Fedel Muhammad`s performance," Herman Hairon who is member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV said.

Whether or not the evaluation would lead to a cabinet shakeup would fully rest with the President, he said.

"The most formidable challenge facing Fadel now is whether or not he can pass the evaluation. If he passes it, he can continue his duties as fisheries and maritime minister," he said.

"He made good publication both in the print and electronic media. But he had not yet made any progress since he assumed the post of fisheries and maritime affairs minister," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said Fadel had so far made good performance so that he did not need to be evaluated much less to be replaced.

"Fadel still deserves the post. There is no problem," he said.

Three Indonesian fisheries officers were arrested and later taken to Malaysia by a Malaysian police boat crew who had intercepted their boat on their way to Batam Island while escorting a Malaysian fishing boat that had been caught poaching in Indonesian waters on August 13.

They were later set free by the Malaysian authorities in exchange for the release of seven Malaysian fishermen who had been caught poaching in Indonesian waters near Bintan island.

Herman said the House Commission IV would soon summon Fadel to clarify the arrest of three Indonesian fisheries officers by the Malaysian police.

"We will soon summon him to clarify the arrest of the three fisheries officers. The House Commission IV has so far not received a complete explanation from the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry about the matter.
The meeting with Fadel will take place next week, on Tuesday or Wednesday," he said. (*)

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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