Gov’t to Develop World-Class Seaports in Malacca Strait, Natuna, Batam

Photo Caption: President Jokowi leads a limited meeting on the acceleration of implementation of the maritime fulcrum vision on Saturday (20/8), at Inna Parapat Hotel, North Sumatra

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that after the country focuses on the maritime fulcrum vision for the last two years and the implementation has started, it is the time to pay more attention to the acceleration.

Considering two-thirds of  Indonesia’s total territory consists of waters, the President said that Indonesia must be able to make the most of Indonesia’s strategic position that lies between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

“Our geostrategic position must be used well in order to build and develop our seaports,” President Jokowi said in his remarks during a limited meeting on the acceleration of implementation of the maritime fulcrum on Saturday (20/8), at Inna Parapat Hotel, Simalungun, North Sumatra.

According to the President, Indonesia has to prioritize infrastructure development, connectivity among the islands, and maritime connectivity through sea toll development.

Therefore, the President said that he has on several occasions mentioned about seaport, deep seaport, logistics, shipping industry, and fish processing several times.

“I have very high expectations that maritime development across Indonesian coastal areas, particularly those which share borders with the Malacca Strait, Natuna, Batam, and Medan or North Sumatra can be trully developed into world-class seaports if we take this seriously,” the President added.

President Jokowi also reminded of the importance of exploration of marine resources as much as possible to improve people’s welfare. The exploration, he added, covers many sectors, including those which have to do with sea transportation, maritime industry, fisheries and fisheries industry, marine tourism, mineral and energy resources in marine resources, tourism, and services.

“I think there are a lot of sectors that can be developed,” the President mentioned.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also reminded his officials not to ignore the implementation of diplomacy and maritime power development to maintain maritime sovereignty.

Indonesia is not only facing illegal fishing issues, but also facing degradation of the environment and marine ecosystems. Besides, the sea is often used for drugs smuggling and distributing, human trafficking, traffic of illegal immigrants, and caused marine resources disputes, the President said.

“Therefore, we need to develop the capacity to face the threats in the sea, either through maritime diplomacy skills or our defense force at the sea,” the President concluded.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affaris Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Asman Abnur, Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of Transportation Bambang K. Sumadi, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf, and Deputi Cabinet Secretary Bistok Simbolon also attended the limited meeting. (UN/GUN/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)