Minister Susi: Support Jokowis Plans to make Country Global Maritime Axis

Jakarta, (Antara) - Indonesia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti wants various parties to lend a hand in realizing President Joko Widodo's vision of making the country the global maritime axis.

"Turning Indonesia into a global maritime shaft is a strategic idea that will ensure inter-island connectivity," said Minister Susi in Jakarta on Monday.

She stated that it will lead to growth in the fisheries sector and an improvement in the means of water transportation besides underlining the importance of maritime security.

Once this vision is realized, the economy of the outermost islands will also become more competitive, which is important since these islands play an important role in national security, thanks to their strategic location, she explained.

As per the minister, Indonesia's state of maritime and fisheries sector was very conducive to the concept of global maritime axis.

"Fish is in abundance and the maritime and fisheries sector was growing at a high rate," she pointed out, exuding optimism.

Earlier, the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen Unit (KNTI) had cautioned that any measures to implement plans for transforming the country must not neglect the crucial need to increase the welfare of fishermen.

"Improving the economic lot of fishermen must be a key factor if the dream of becoming a global maritime axis is to be realized," Chairman of KNTI, M Riza Damanik, had stressed in February.

People's participation in the monitoring of protection and empowerment programs to be strengthened, he had observed.

For that purpose, the government should involve the people to ensure fishermen's empowerment.

"In the past, the government gave subsidized boats, nets and fries, but the measures did not work for want of adequate participation of the public," he underlined.

He advised that if the government now intended to help in the same way as it did before, it must ensure the participation of fishermen and cultivators.