"We aim to demonstrate that we are a maritime nation that takes its roots from our sailor ancestors," the minister remarked in his opening speech at the Nusantara Sail 2023 event in North Jakarta on Saturday.
Hadimuljono affirmed that the Nusantara Sail 2023 also aims to demonstrate that the people of Indonesia, with its identity as a maritime nation and an archipelagic state, view seas as connectors rather than separators.
The minister also noted that the commencement of the event symbolically marks Indonesia's concrete steps to relocate its capital city from Jakarta to the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan Province.
"Hopefully, on August 17, 2024, we will move to IKN Nusantara on ships," he remarked.
Minister Hadimuljono expressed hope that many more participants would participate in the next editions of the sailing event.
At the opening ceremony of the event, he also reminded all participants to review their preparedness as well as check their tools and equipment, so that they will safely and successfully arrive on Balang Island, East Kalimantan, as one of the sailing destinations.
"I will see you later on Balang Island," he told the participants.
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Sailors from Australia, Norway, Malaysia, and South Africa have joined national sailors at the event.
The Nusantara Sail 2023 serves as a national-scale sailing event pioneered by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to highlight Indonesia's significant efforts in developing Nusantara as the country's concrete step to become the world's maritime axis.
Furthermore, the sailing event constitutes part of a series of events to welcome the 10th World Water Forum that will take place in Bali next year.
The event is also held to commemorate the 59th National Maritime Day that will fall on September 23, 2023.
From Jakarta, the participants will sail toward Balang Island (North Penajam Paser District), Balikpapan, IKN Nusantara, and Samarinda. In addition to Jakarta, the event was commenced from other locations, such as Makassar in South Sulawesi and Nunukan in North Kalimantan.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
