Deputy Chair of the House Special Committee Endro Hermono in a group picture after a meeting to discuss the Maritime Affairs Bill at the Central Java Police Headquarters, Semarang, Central Java Province, Tuesday (20/3/2024). Photo: Andri/nr

PARLEMENTARIA, Semarang - With a coastline spanning 81,000 kilometers of which 62% of its territory consists sea and waters, Indonesia has great potential for marine resources, especially in the fisheries sector. However, it is regrettable that the country lacks the comprehensive legislation and agencies dealing with marine security and safety.

Through the meeting with the Central Java Regional Police, Deputy Chair of the House Special Committee on Maritime Affairs Bill Endro Hermono wished to solicit input from various stakeholders. This is part of the Committee’s endeavors to foster synergy between ministries, police, and institutions/agencies in maintaining security, safety, and law enforcement at sea. 

"The threats to maritime security are highly complex and diverse. It includes security, economic, environmental, and social aspects, such as piracy, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, terrorism in the maritime environment, natural disasters, cyber security, and regional and international conflicts," Hermono said at the Central Java Regional Police Headquarters in Semarang, Central Java Province, Tuesday (20/3/2024).

Additionally, Hermono said it poses a risk when Indonesia does not have a coast guard. "So our legislation needs to regulate coast guard and what its functions entail," he said. 

He reasserted that discussions on governance and strengthening maritime security and defense cannot rely on a single institution. Moreover, the discussions must also reflect the interests of relevant parties from both central and regional governments. (man/aha)