February 23, 2012

An Indonesian government official said that imported fish about 48 tonnes contaminated with formaldehyde will be re-exported.

The Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs (KKP) is carefully monitoring the re-export of two containers of fish from Malaysia and Pakistan that were said to be contaminated with formaldehyde.

"The important thing now is to get it out of Indonesia," director general for Marine Resources and Fishery Supervision, Syahrin Abdurrahman said on Tuesday (Feb 21).

He said that the fish stock was loaded onto a vessel on Monday and accompanied by a ministry ship Hiu-05, is now on the way to the countries bordering Indonesia, The director general said that sufficient care will be taken to prevent the stock from being sold in Indonesia. Therefore, its re-export will be monitored by the KKP ministry until the shipment leaves Indonesia.

"It should not happen that there is abuse on the way," Syahrin said.

The fish from Malaysia and Pakistan had to be re-exported because the fish quarantine authorities in Medan, North Sumatra, said it has been contaminated with formaldehyde, the director general said.