"We cannot ignore the role of diplomacy in building our maritime power to face threats at sea, which are not limited to illegal fishing," the president stated.
Simalungun, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has stressed that the role of diplomacy must not be ignored as the country makes efforts to strengthen and develop its maritime sector.

"We cannot ignore the role of diplomacy in building our maritime power to face threats at sea, which are not limited to illegal fishing," the president stated in a limited cabinet meeting in Simalungun District on Saturday night.

Other problems that the country must contend with are the destruction of marine ecosystems, the fact that the sea is often used to smuggle drugs or for human trafficking. Also, illegal immigrants coming through the sea routes and conflicts over natural resources also pose a threat.

"We need to become more skilled at conducting maritime diplomacy and exercise strength at sea," Jokowi pointed out.

The president further said that for almost two years, the government has been talking about establishing itself as the worlds maritime axis.

"As of now, efforts are underway to achieve certain aspects of such an objective but the rest awaits action. So this afternoon, we will talk about this matter related to expediting efforts in this regard," he said.

Certain factors are important in this regard. Firstly, two-thirds of Indonesia is sea, and second, the utilization of marine resources for the welfare of the people is important.

"We must take advantage of Indonesias strategic position as it is located in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The location should be leveraged well while undertaking the development of the existing port," he said.

Indonesia must also give priority to infrastructure development and maritime connectivity through sea toll, Jokowi noted.

"Many a times, I have talked about the sea port, deep seaport, logistics, shipping industry and fish processing. I hope the management of ocean affairs along the coastal areas, especially those which share borders with Malacca Strait, Batam, including Medan in North Sumatra, can really develop our ports and make them world class facilities," the president stated.

With regard to the utilization of marine resources, the President said it involved many sectors such as marine transportation, fishing industry, energy, marine and minerals.

Present at the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs/acting Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, State Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Asman Abnur, chief of the presidential staff office Teten Masduki and chief of the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) Triawan Munaf.

Other ministers who also attended the meeting were National Development Planning Minister/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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