KOMPAS.com - Presidential candidate Susilo Bambang on Monday met with fishermen in Padang, West Sumatra and listened to their complaints over the illegal use of potassium for fishing.
"We ask your help to stop the use of potassium (for catching fish en mass)," Edy, a local fisherman, was quoted by Antara as saying in a campaign dialogue attended by Yudhoyono, at Purus Beach, West Sumatra.
Yudhoyono was flanked by his wife Kristiani Herawati Yudhoyono, his youngest son Edy Baskoro, and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) President Tifatul Sembiring.
Edy also complained that fishermen from outside Padang caught fish in the coastal area designated for traditional fishermen from the city.
Yudhoyono said the central and regional governments would continue to protect traditional fishermen. Another fisherman complained that it was very difficult for him to get bank loans. Yudhoyono said the government had provided people with business loans (KUR) for several years now.
