INDONESIA TO PLAY CATCH UP WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN MARITIME DEVELOPMENT

Ratification of the Bill on Maritime Affairs was underscoring off roadmap for making significant leap toward sustainable exploration of marine resources. For the next 5 years all the endeavors would put Indonesia in equal position with other countries in the world. “To harness marine potentials as far as over 300 miles is progressive step to the Jokowi-JK government” the Director General of Sea, Coastline and Small islands, Ministry of KPP Sudirman Saad disclosed to Business News [29/9].

The effort to put Indonesia in equal position with other countries like Malaysia and Singapore was an urgent matter. Singapore and Malaysia had already mapped out zones at the bottom of the ocean, while Indonesia had not gone that far. What Malaysia and Singapore did was attributed to International Sea Expert Hasyim Djalal. To draw zones at sea bottom signified effort to build the maritime sector. “At that time Mr Hasyim Djalal held the position of Chairman of the International Seabed Authority. At that time we were not too concerned about it but now with the Bill on Maritime Affairs we can begin to map out the sea bottom.”

At the beginning the Ministry of KPP was skeptical about passing of the Maritime Law considering that the momentum coincided with the Plenary Meeting of House. Monitoring by the Director General of KP3K Sudirman Saad unveiled that finalization of the substance of Bill was not in parallel with synchronization by Commission IV of House. “After the Friday sholat [26/9] the meeting agreed on the substance. The meeting continued at sunset; probably the faith would be the same as the Pilkada Bill, the final verdict at 2 o’clock in the morning”

One of the key substance agreed was underscoring Indonesia as an archipelago. This was most relevant, moreover to refer to the International Sea Law Convention 1982. Beside sea by territory, Indonesia could also manage jurisdiction Law and Sea Bottom zones. At Ministrial level there was already agreement and all the substance of Bill. At last minute, KKP did not have any obstacle on crucial Articles. Other substance was stipulation above 12 miles including all the authority. “In case of the Java sea, the Arafura sea, the Tomini gulf was stipulated by Presidential Regulation and space planning at sea would be our authority. For example in Southern Java right could be 12 miles. But in Java sea, water width could be 40 miles or more and there was enclave. All the potentials must be safeguarded by strengthening of space planning.”

Elected President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla had for long been building maritime vision. This was a signal to maximize exploration of sea resources. Effort at sea was also in line with Jokowi-JK vision. In the end, the Maritime Law served as strengthener of Indonesia’s position as the world’s maritime axis. “Let’s just watch the drama of House’s Plenary Meeting, because the Maritime Bill is number eight by order. We could draw trans-regional zoning. The Java sea zone would be legalized by the Government’s Regulation”

Other substance was substance was zoning of straits and gulf, protection of marine resources based on Blue Economy. The conservation content and management and bio life at sea was in line international agenda.  During the 12^th convention of World’s bio diversity in early October next in Pyong Chang South Korea, there was agenda for that subject. Sea conservation would strengthen Indonesia’s important role in the world’s forum. “When zoning was stipulated, we can read the chess board. Not just fish potentials but also mineral and gas potentials and also conservation. All would realize the vision of the elected President that Indonesia is the world’s maritime axis. The Marine Bill is the roadmap”

Meanwhile the Director General of P2HP, Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Saut Hutagalung that the policy of Jokowi-JK Saut Hutagalung was crystallizing into marine-based development without disregarding green economy on land. Land based development had been contributing significantly to national development, but to fulfill need from land alone would be difficult in the future. Indonesia’s nature to be an archipelago country offered enormous potential. “To become a leading maritime country is materializing well,” Saut Hutagalung told Business News [29/9].

Indonesia consisted of 30% land and 70% sea. Geographically Indonesia is flanked by 2 continents: Asia and Australia and 2 Oceans i.e. the Indian Ocean and Pacific. “All are invaluable asset and capital for development.”

All parties must support Jokowi-JK resolution to enhance maritime development. One aspect of crystallization of the policy was the plan to built Sea Toll. Regardless of the policy was a historical momentum. To be gratified of Indonesia being an archipelago country. “When Jokowi – JK will be installed as President and Vice President on 20 October next, we are constantly inspired to control, command and manage the sea.” (SS)

Business New - October 3, 2014