By: Farida Angelica/ Indonesian Maritime Observer
Summit Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) for the first time will be held in Bali Indonesia on 10-11 October 2023. AIS as a forum for island and islands has a strategic value for Indonesia because President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has a vision in realizing Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis.
At the end of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), we need to see his vision again to restore Indonesia as a world maritime axis or Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF). This vision was conveyed in the 2014 presidential election campaign and became an important part of Nawacita.
In his inauguration speech before the DPR/MPR and witnessed by the people of Indonesia (October 20, 2014), Jokowi stressed that this was the time to return the Indonesian nation to his identity as a maritime country, that “we have long turned our backs, the sea, sea, strait and bay. So, starting today, we return the glory of our ancestors as a brave sailor. Facing a storm and wave on a ship called the Republic of Indonesia, “said Jokowi.
During his leadership, President Joko Widodo had the ambition to make Indonesia the world’s maritime axis. This vision was confirmed by the President in his speech at the 9th High Level Conference (Summit) East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 13, 2014 at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
The president’s vision to make Indonesia a world maritime axis was immediately translated by the ministry through a variety of maritime programs. To provide a reference for the preparation of programs and policies in the maritime field, the government issued a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 16/2017 concerning Indonesian Maritime Policy. This national document is an instrument that synergizes the movements and steps of all stakeholders in achieving the ideals of Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis.
Meanwhile, to implement the Presidential Regulation number 16/2017, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs held a National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) in the Maritime Affairs in TMII, East Jakarta on May 4, 2017. The event was opened by President Joko Widodo as well as giving directions on maritime policies in 2018.
Maritime Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan also provided reports on the achievements of priority programs in the maritime field that had been running. These achievements include a reduction in dwelling time and logistics costs at the port, added value to the use of natural resources, as well as the achievement of tourism programs through the determination of the National Priority Strategic Areas (KSPN).
Most importantly, the Coordinating Minister also conveyed the achievements of the Maritime Program which has a mission of equity. These programs include sea tolls, infrastructure development outside Java including electrification and the development of the leading islands.
Meanwhile, the sea toll program has succeeded in reducing price disparities in Eastern Indonesia. Namely a decrease between 20-25% in several districts traversed by sea toll routes.
It is very important to equalize the vision between the central and regional governments in formulating work programs and policies in the maritime field. Good coordination between the central and regional governments needs to be done so that the direction of maritime policies and programs becomes clear and measurable so that there is an acceleration of the realization of Indonesia’s mission to become the world’s maritime axis.
Please note, the construction of a maritime axis includes five pillars, namely the first pillar is to build Indonesian maritime culture. The second pillar is to protect the sea and marine resources, with a focus on building seafood sovereignty through the development of the fisheries industry by placing fishermen as the main pillar. The third pillar is giving priority to the development of maritime infrastructure and connectivity, by building sea tolls, deep seaports, logistics and shipping industries, and maritime tourism.
The fourth pillar is strengthening maritime diplomacy, cooperation in the maritime sector, eliminating sources of conflict at sea such as fish theft, sovereignty violations, regional disputes, piracy, and marine pollution. Finally, the fifth pillar is building maritime defense for maintaining sovereignty and maritime wealth and a form of responsibility in maintaining the safety of shipping and maritime security.
Five pillars of maritime axis construction are also contained in the appendix to the Perpres. Furthermore, Indonesia’s strategic position, along with the geographical factors and socio -economic conditions, also places Indonesia in an important position in the global environment, namely in influencing political, economic, and regional and international security stability. Therefore, the direction of the maritime and maritime policy of the Republic of Indonesia is clearly an urgent thing.
The AIS Summit can be a momentum for Indonesia to strengthen its position as a world maritime country. Through this Summit, Indonesia can build cooperation and collaboration with other island countries. In addition, the AIS Summit can also be a means to promote Indonesia as a friendly and open maritime country. Indonesia can be an example for other archipelago countries in managing its waters and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Thus, Summit AIS is a tangible manifestation of Indonesia’s efforts to realize the vision as the world’s maritime axis. This is an important step in carrying out the great role of Indonesia in determining the direction of development and order of the global maritime region and helps create a safer, even sustainable future for all archipelago countries in the world.
