Indonesian Marine Potentials must be Well-Managed, President Jokowi Says
After being conferred with a traditional title called “Kapiteng Lau Pulo”, President Joko Jokowi Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, on Sunday (7/5), attended the peak event of Mappanretasi Marine Culture and Sea Offering Ceremony in Pagatan Beach, Tanah Bambu, South Kalimantan.
The President admitted that he was delighted to attend the event because it proves that becoming a maritime nation is the identity, character, culture, and nature of Indonesia.
This event also reminds people that our ancestors have been living in harmony with the sea, President Jokowi said.
According to the President, Indonesians have far too long turned their back on the seas, while in fact, the sea contains richness and natural resources.
Based on the report the President received, Indonesian marine resources potentials stood at Rp17,000 trillion every year if the resources are well-managed. We have not yet managed it well, the President stated.
President Jokowi asserted that marine resources is the key to improve peoples prosperity and economic equity, as well as the key to materialize justice for all the people of Indonesia.
Accompanying President Jokowi in the event was Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. The event was also attended by South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor, and Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming.
After that event, President Jokowi, the First Lady, and the entourage headed to Batulicin, Tanah Bumbu to distribute Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), Supplementary Feeding (PMT), Aspiring Family Program (PKH), and Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), Head of Bureau for Press, Media, and Information Affairs, Secretariat of the President Bey Machmudin said.
In the afternoon, the President and First Lady will head to Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on a Presidential Aircraft RJ-85, Bey said in a press release on Sunday (7/5).
Upon his arrival in Banjarbaru, the President and the entourage will use cars to go to Bajuin, Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan. In Bajuin, the President will hand over village forests, community plantation forests, and people forests, Bey added.
The President is also scheduled to distribute land certificates in Tambang Ulang, Tanah Laut, in the afternoon.
According to Bey, President Jokowi, First Lady Ibu Iriana, and the entourage will spend the night in Banjarmasin before the President carrying on his working visit to Ternate, North Maluku, on Monday (8/5).