President Jokowi Signs Presidential Regulation on Maritime Policy

Considering that Indonesian waters covers a very large area and it has abundant marine resources, it is necessary to

President Jokowi on a ship at Maluku Waters

manage the area optimally and sustainably. The management of marine resources is part of ourefforts to realize the goal of Indonesia as the World Maritime Fulcrum and also to give benefits to the people so they become more prosperous.

Based on this consideration, on 20 February 2017, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo signed a Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2017 on Maritime Policy of Indonesia.“Maritime Policy of Indonesia is a general guideline on maritime policy and implementation measures through programs as well as activities of ministries/institutions on maritime sector drawn up to accelerate the implementation of World Maritime Fulcrum,” Article 1 paragraph (1) of the Presidential Regulation says.

World Maritime Fulcrum is Indonesia’s vision to be a sovereign, advanced, independent, as well as strong maritime country, and be able to give positive contribution to regional and global security and peace in accordance with national interest.

Based on this Presidential Regulation, Maritime Policy of Indonesia consisting of: a. National Document of Maritime Policy of Indonesia; and b. Action Plan of Maritime Policy of Indonesia.

National Document of Maritime Policy of Indonesia as intended in Appendix I shall not be separated from this Presidential Regulation.

Meanwhile, Action Plan of Maritime Policy of Indonesia as intended shall be stipulated for a period of 5 (five) years. In addition, the Action Plan is stipulated for 2016-2019 period.“Action Plan of Maritime Policy of Indonesia for 2016-2019 Period as intended shall be mentioned in Appendix II and it is an unseparated part of this Presidential Regulation,” Article 4 paragraph (4) of the Presidential Regulation says.

The Presidential Regulation affirmed that Maritime Policy of Indonesia shall function as: a. a guideline for ministries/institutions as well as regional governments to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate the development of marine sector in order to realize World Maritime Fulcrum; and b. a reference for people as well as business people to participate in developing marine sector in order to realize World Maritime Fulcrum.

The implementation, monitoring, and evaluation shall be coordinated with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs. In the meantime, the implementation of Maritime Policy of Indonesia in each ministry/institution shall be further regulated by minister/head of institution based on their own tasks and authorities.

This Presidential Regulation affirms that Coordinating  Minister for Maritime Affairs shall coordinate with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, and Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture in preparing an integrated report of the implementation of Maritime Policy of Indonesia that shall be submitted to the President at least 1 (once) in a year or at any time if it is necessary.

This Policy, according to the Presidential Regulation, can be reviewed periodically in accordance with national development and interest as well as international development. The reviews shall be carried out by ministry/institution and coordinated with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister of National Development Planning /Head of National Development Planning Agency. Afterward, the result of the review can be the foundation to adjust Maritime Policy of Indonesia.

“This Presidential Regulation shall apply as of thedate of itsenactment,” says Article 9 of Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2017 that has been promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 23 February 2017.(Pusdatin/ES) (MMB/YM/Naster)