Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After the Inauguration of Modern Fishermen Village, Biak, Numfor, November 24, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It is important to control the management following the construction of this modern fishing village. Don’t let there be a lot of big cool storages that I see in the field because we can’t pay for the electricity. Then, they won’t be able to operate, ending up stalling. Firstly, I see that the small capacity of cool storage is as needed. That is good. Secondly, previously the price of ice was Rp1,600, and now it is Rp800. The cooperation works and fishermen can get the price much cheaper than before – half the price.

The condition like this will work as fishermen need much cheaper price but the cooperation will also get income so that machines maintenance can work too. We don’t need huge cool storage and ice cube factory but for business we can calculate and run it. I think if these models of business work well, we can apply them in other places. That’s good.

Press

Pak, it means it’s not true if there is an opinion that you don’t pay attention to maritime development but here you pay attention.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The maritime development is not merely about fishermen because marine natural resources are not about fishery, coral reefs, marine biota, gas, and oil in the sea. I think we have enormous marine natural resources. We have a big potential in developing seaweed cultivation all over the coast. But once again, it is essential to have good field management, improve fishermen’s skills such as skill on seaweed cultivation, and have modern management to produce marine products in large quantities so we can enter national and global supply chain.

Press

Pak, allow me to ask you out of the topic. How do you respond to the issue of the Chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Committee who has been named a suspect?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, just respect all legal process.

Press

Pak President, potentials in Biak are predicted to generate foreign exchange at the amount of more than Rp1 trillion. How do you respond to this?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

What needs to be reviewed is infrastructure, particularly infrastructure for logistic so all these products can immediately enter the market directly. Regent of Biak has requested direct cargo flight to Japan, US, and China because those countries are markets for Indonesian tuna fish. We don’t need second or third parties. I think these direct flights will improve price that support fishermen prosperity. So, support is essential and I will instruct Minister of Transportation and Minister of SMEs to open direct cargo flights for tuna fish in quantities according to existing capacity in Biak and surrounding areas.

Press

Thank you, Pak.

(GA/EP)