Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia On National Maritime Day (held virtually) September 23, 2021

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuh,
May prosperity be upon us,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet;
Distinguished Presidential Chief of Staff;
Distinguished High-Ranking Officials of Universities and Maritime Studies;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

As the world’s largest archipelagic country with 17,000 islands, a coastline of more than 108,000 kilometers and the world’s largest marine biodiversity, Indonesia should become the world’s maritime axis. We must increase our economic growth and we must continuously restore and strengthen Indonesia’s identity as a maritime nation, not only through maritime jargons, but also through real work in various fields.

We must make the best endeavor to boost maritime connectivity. We must strengthen our maritime security to protect public and national interests. We must empower maritime potential to achieve more equitable economic growth, increase the added value, and unite our nation, Indonesia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government has been taking all necessary measures and will continue to make the best endeavor to boost connectivity of all islands in the archipelago, not only through building large and small ports on small and isolated islands, but also through connecting it to the sea toll program to facilitate mobility of goods and people in our islands to ensure better public services and increase the added value of the local economies.

Even though the location is far from the centers of national economic activity, remote islands and coastal communities have huge economic potentials. The potentials of marine-based food industry such as fisheries and marine biodiversity, the potentials of maritime tourism by utilizing resources and beauty of the sea, and the potentials of the medicine and health supplement industry based on marine biodiversity can serve as the basis for Indonesia’s economic growth that is equitably distributed across the archipelago.

Science and technology play a very strategic role in achieving the goals. We must continuously strive for the utilization and development of science and technology for the growth of our domestic shipping industry, not only shipbuilding industry, but also the global-scale transportation and logistics services industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must change our point of view on the sea. The sea is not a separator; it is a connector that links our islands together. The sea is not our backyard; it is our front yard. The sea is not a place to dispose of items we don’t need; it is a place for us to live. The sea is a source of livelihood where a lot of treasure is stored and is a God-given gift that must be protected and preserved.

To that end, the utilization of marine resources must be carried out conscientiously for the benefit of today’s generations as well as future generations. The utilization of marine resources is important, but it must be carried out conscientiously. Fishing is important, but it must be carried out with a measurable fishing pattern in accordance with sustainability principle of marine resources. Our conscientious endeavor and utilization of science and technology will shape us into a strong and prosperous country supported by our maritime capacity.

Happy National Maritime Day.

Let’s make Indonesia the world’s maritime axis for an advanced and just Indonesia.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Om santi santi santi om,
Namo Buddhaya. (RI/MUR)