Govt Determined to Set Indonesia as Number One Country on Fishing Industry in Asia
President Jokowi, accompanied by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti and Governor of Riau Islands Nurdin Basirun, gives statement to journalists in Natuna, Thursday (6/10). (Photo: BPMI)
The Indonesian Government continues its efforts to realize consistency in order to strengthen Indonesias maritime. Having dealt with illegal fishing, the next measures taken by the Government is to manage the national fishing industry.
“We will rearrange our fishing industry, be it at the level of fishermen and above, small businessmen or at the industrial level,” said President Joko Jokowi Widodo when inspecting the construction of fishing industry area in Lampa Strait, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, on Thursday (6/10).
Moreover, the President added that the restructuring of fishing industry must be conducted step by step. The President requested that the restructuring of fishing industry be not carried out in haste. “Do not rush to open it, we will manage it step-by-step. Do not return to the age when our rich sea has no regulations at all,” the President said.
According to the President, the restructuring of fishing industry is not solely limited to the economic aspects. The Government has also committed to supporting the strengthening of defense and security in the outermost islands of Indonesia.
“So we want to strengthen not only economy in the border but at the same time our defense and security. So apart from these, we will also build six bases, be it for the Air Force, Navy, or Army,” the President said
Be Number One
Meanwhile, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti explained that with the reform of fisheries that are currently in operation, the Government is also determined to re-make the Indonesia’s fishing industry to become number one in Asia.
“If it happens, Indonesia could be number one again in Asia when it comes to capture fisheries. It is similar to 1992 and 1996,” Susi Pudjiastuti stated while accompanying the President.
Therefore, Susi added, the Government will continue to develop national fishing industry throughout Indonesia. Not only in Natuna but also in other areas which are deemed strategic.
“Morotai, Sabang, Moa, Biak, Timika, Merauke, Saumlaki, East Nusa Tenggara, Bata and Larantuka. For there has actually been Japanese projects that we actually just pick up the slack,” Susi explained.
After inspecting the construction of the fishing industry area in Lampa Strait, President Joko Widodo also inspected the construction of Combat Engineering Battalion (Batalyon Zipur) of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD), the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters and Navy Battalion of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). Afterwards, the President and First Lady Ibu Iriana along with the entourage headed to the Ranai Airport, Natuna Regency, to go back to Jakarta with Boeing 737-400 the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) at 17:44 Western Indonesian Time. (BPMI/ES) (M/YM/Naster)
