VP Ma’ruf Amin Inaugurates 68 Kampung Bahari Nusantara

VP Ma’ruf Amin inaugurates the Navy’s KBN program in Untung Jawa island, Kepulauan Seribu regency, Monday (05/15). (Photo by: BPMI of Vice Presidential Secretariat)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin Monday (05/15) inaugurated 68 “Kampung Bahari Nusantara” (Nusantara Maritime Village/KBN) programs in 68 Regional Command Units of the Indonesian National Defence Forces’ (TNI) Navy.

At the inauguration held in Untung Jawa island, Kepulauan Seribu regency, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, the VP expressed hope that the KBN program initiated by the Navy can play a role in maintaining environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change.

“I hope the Navy can guide coastal people to make the climate change issue a part of the literacy and education program in Kampung Bahari Nusantara,” he stated.

Indonesia is a country with the second longest coastline in the world and vast waters that are home to marine life and various coral reefs. However, the VP stressed, climate change and irresponsible human exploration activities have harmed Indonesia’s marine ecosystems.

“The climate change issue is closely related to the success of maritime tourism potential development, which is one of the KBN programs, and maritime tourism has been the source of additional income for local people,” he said.

The VP also underscored the impact of climate change on the poverty rate of coastal people; the majority of whom have remained in the country’s extreme poverty enclaves.

“Poverty in coastal villages that require serious interventions has become more complex due to the treat posed by climate change, which generally can cause serious losses to the national economy,” he added while stressing the importance of optimizing maritime and coastal ecosystem management as it is a vital factor to minimize environmental damage.

“Maintaining Indonesia’s maritime and coastal ecosystems is key to mitigating climate change impacts,” the VP remarked.

For the record, Kampung Bahari Nusantara is a program initiated by the Navy to improve the well-being of coastal people in health, education, tourism, economy, and defence sectors.

“The Navy’s Kampung Bahari Nusantara is Ready to Improve Productivity for Prosperous Maritime People’s Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Transformation” was the theme of this year’s KBN inauguration. (BPMI of Vice Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/HD)