The two fishermen, Chua Lee Teck and Heng Chee Yong, are expected to be released Wednesday, Star Online reported.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during a Father’s Day dinner celebration at Xian Fa Shi Gong Temple in Sekinchan today.

He said Prime Minister Najib Razak had contacted Widodo after the Indonesian courts had sentenced the fishermen. Zahid had also contacted Vice-President Jusuf Kalla.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim was also sent to negotiate the release.

Zahid said he had told Sungai Besar Umno Chief Jamal Yunus to go out to sea to welcome the two fishermen home.

“I made an earlier promise to secure their release and we managed to fulfil our promise.

“The government made the effort for the benefit of all the people who live in Sungai Besar and fishermen in Sekinchan.”