Budget for PT PAL and some ministry which work on maritime sector, if we combine it all ; total of budget is only about 2 % from national budget (APBN).
Well, that is government. Now, let’s see how many NGO which concern about maritime sector ?
Most province has their maritime area, but less province which give serious attention toward it. One of province which is good in maritime empowerment is Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi). They have some NGOs which work together on it. They help coast community for better life.
Generally, that is what Indonesian does for their maritime ; which is 7,9 million km2 width – one of the widest in the world. Is it enough ?. Absolutely not.
Maritime for Indonesia, is the world's largest achipelago comprising some 17,508 islands that stretch across the equator for more than 5,000 miles. There are five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagoes.
Situated along the volcanic rim known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire", Indonesia is the most volcanic country on earth with 128 volcanoes. Straddling the equator, Indonesia has dry season and rainy season.
Indonesia is home to several animal and plant species, that are found nowhere else. Exotic white-sand beaches reach towards warm tropical seas teeming with coral and a marvelous variety of marine life in some of the most colorful, breathaking sea gardens in the world. Marine mega - biodiversity in Indonesia is the biggest in the world.
Indonesian cuisine displays a mind-boggling variety of dishes that are characterized by the liberal use of aromatic spices and a variety of hot chili peppers, then cooked in a number of exciting ways, including baked or steamed in banana leaves. Rice is the nation's staple for most of the archipelago, but in the eastern islands, corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes are more common. An extensive assortment of tropical and sub-tropical fruit and vegetables can also be found year-round to tantalize your taste buds.
Is it all of potential of maritime in Indonesia ?. No, its potential is still ten times bigger than APBN.
Gunter Pauli, an expert wrote the book “The Blue Economy : 10 years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs”. This concept will be tried to be used by Ministry of Maritime. Blue economy is sustainable development with ecosystem (ocean) based. Probably, we should celebrate more maritime day than new year to encourage it.
Either, we can try another way to encourage. Let’s try to compare with developed maritime part, Canada. There is no country which has big archipelago like Indonesia indeed. But there is a developed country which has maritime part in their country : Canada.
Maritime for canada, is only small part of their country. Canadian maritimes is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces : New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. On the Atlantic coast, the maritimes are a subregion of Atlantic Canada, which also includes the north eastern province of New Foundland & Labrador.
There was talk of a maritime union of three provinces to have greater political power. However, the first discussion on the subject in 1864 at the Charlottetown Conference led to the process of Canadian Confederation which formed the larger Dominion of Canada instead.
Now, let’s try to compare maritime in Canada with Indonesia as Maritime Country. Canadian maritimes can be good because they only have small maritime, but Indonesia has so big archipelago. Is it excuse?. Ya, if we always talk about the threat, it will not be gone.
Canada already uses the blue economy concept to develope their maritimes. They give serious attention in empowering their potential. Eventhough, they are small maritime, but they have huge proud of their maritime.
Empowering maritime for generally world perspective, it means helping ecosystem balance, life balance.
Finally, what should we do with the maritime?.
In short, let’s spend more time, more resources, and more attention and affection to empower the maritime. Happy new (maritime) year.