New year’s maritime resolution unveiled

JAKARTA. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration has finally revealed its five-year game-plan to restore Indonesia as a global maritime power, a policy that will be looked upon as being the cornerstone of his legacy — if it succeeds.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Indroyono Soesilo said that the maritime axis ambition was expected to lift Indonesia’s income to that of an upper-middle income country with US$10,000 GDP per capita, almost triple the current value, with a large part of it coming from the maritime sector. Indonesia is currently considered a lower-middle income country with a GDP per capita of about $3,500.

To accomplish this, Indroyono said the government would be focusing development on four main agendas — maritime sovereignty, natural resources, infrastructure, as well as culture, science and technology.

Indonesia would have to achieve maritime sovereignty by strengthening the legal system, current laws and maritime defense and safety; managing territorial borders and increasing development in the country’s maritime areas, he explained.

The world’s largest archipelagic country will also push efforts in boosting marine affairs, fisheries, minerals, oil and gas, as well as tourism and resources.

“This objective must be achieved by balancing economic growth, increasing the people’s welfare and practicing sustainable ocean management,” Indroyono told a press briefing on Monday.

The government would also build advanced marine infrastructure, from ports to manufacturing industries, and improve the inter-connectivity of transportation modes across the archipelago, he added.

“Fourth, the government must nurture the country’s inhabitants by encouraging development in human resources, science, technology and culture so as to plant a strong maritime mentality,” the coordinating minister said.

Indonesia currently boasts 3.1 million square kilometers of territorial waters and 2.7 million sqkm. to exclusive economic zones (EEZ), in addition to its 81,000 km of coastline stretching over 13,400 islands. (Tama Salim)