Natuna Islands have become a strategic region, as they are located directly adjacent to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government is planning to build houses on Natuna Islands, Riau Islands Province, for the fishermen from Javas northern coastal areas (Pantura) as part of its program to develop the small islands and border areas.

"I will leave for Natuna tomorrow to prepare everything needed for the construction of houses for Pantura fishermen to boost the fisheries sector in the islands waters," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

Susi stated that the construction of houses was part of the governments plan, in this case the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, to build villages for fishermen.

To this end, the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries (KKP) will build cold storages and detention facilities for those caught poaching in Natuna.

The government is planning to sink more boats caught poaching in the Indonesian waters in Natuna, Riau Islands Province, on August 17.

"There will be an August 17 (Independence Day) celebration in the most isolated and outermost islands. It is planned in Natuna. We want the commemoration to coincide with the sinking of the boats," Minister Susi affirmed here, Monday (July 18).

KKP Secretary General Sjarief Widjaja is keen to to relocate several Pantura fishermen to Natuna to tap the fishery potential of its waters in an effort to empower the nations maritime and fisheries sector.

"We want Pantura fishermen to go fishing in the Natuna waters and to sell their catch in the Lampa Strait," the KKP secretary general emphasized.

Widjaja stated that they are also expected to develop the culture fishery sector through activities, such as breeding Napoleon fish and groupers, cultivating seaweed, and establishing an integrated fishery center.

The government is also planning to transfer 400 fishing vessels of below 30 gross tonnage. Some 300 vessels will be transferred in 2016, while the remaining fishing ships will be moved to Natuna in 2017.

Earlier, the Peoples Coalition for Fisheries Justice (Kiara) had called for the development of Natunas fisheries potential for the traditional fishermen, who have lived there for a long time.

Kiara Secretary General Abdul Halim remarked that the people engaged in Natunas culture fishery sector need security and protection, as the area shares its border with the neighboring country.

After all, China has a unilateral claim over the area and has deployed its coastguards to protect its fishermen in the Natuna waters.

Halim pointed out that the recent incident in Natuna, which involved a Chinese ship believed to have conducted poaching, indicated the presence of problems: the sovereignty claim and the fishing activities of Indonesian traditional fishermen.

To this end, the Indonesian government should have taken diplomatic steps through all members of the United Nations and not only China to confirm that Natuna is part of Indonesias sovereign territory.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli had also earlier highlighted the importance of stepping up defense and security initiatives in Natuna after a fish poaching case was reported in the area.

"We will reinforce the defense and security systems in Natuna," Minister Ramli noted at a press conference at the office of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on July 13.

The minister hoped the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) will step up defense initiatives in the area, so that Natuna would be effectively supervised. The government will also intensify coordination among law enforcers to fight fish poaching.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu had remarked that Indonesia will build several military bases in the Natuna Islands to safeguard its sovereignty and implement the rule of law.

Following the instruction of President Joko Widodo to safeguard the nations sovereignty and to enforce the law in Natuna Islands, TNI Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, meanwhile, revealed that the government will build several military bases in the region and will also extend the runway of the Ranai Air Base.

"We need bases to house fighter aircraft along with ground support equipment for the Militarys air fleet," Gen. Gatot affirmed on Monday (June 27).

According to Gatot, the government should build a pier that can be used by several Indonesian military ships to safeguard the nations waters as well as set up a radar station to monitor the border areas.

As reported earlier, President Joko Widodo wanted to build infrastructure, such as a cold storage and other facilities, for Natunas fishermen to develop it to function as a national fish auction center.

The president has ordered the construction of infrastructure and a cold storage in Natuna. The islands will be developed into a regional fish auction center like the one in Japan.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli affirmed that the government must accelerate the development of the fisheries sector in Natuna. So far, only some nine percent of the islands fishery potential has been exploited.

Natuna Islands have become a strategic region, as they are located directly adjacent to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Global shipping lanes pass through Natuna and its surrounding areas, especially for ships sailing to Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

Developing Natuna is a necessity and also a top priority of the Indonesian government, as its borders serve as a gateway to the country.(*)

Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016