IO, Jakarta – “The Indonesian Naval Forces and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Kementerian Kelautan and Perikanan – “KKP”) of the Republic of Indonesia are intent on optimizing cooperation with the objective of defending and developing the Republic’s maritime potential,” declared Armed Forces Admiral Yudo Margono, S.E., M.M., Chief of Staff of the Navy, when he welcomed Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Edhy Prabowo, S.E., M.M., M.B.A., for a formal visit to the R. E. Martadinata Building, Head Quarters of the Naval Forces, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Friday (29/05/2020).
The Minister was warmly welcomed by the Chief of Staff and several high officers of the Navy, including the Assistant for Operations of the Navy Chief of Staff, Armed Forces Vice Admiral Didik Setiyono, S.E., M.M.; Assistant for Maritime Potential of the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Major General of the Armed Forces Yuniar Ludfi; Commander of Armada Command I, Rear Admiral of the Armed Forces Muhammad Ali, S.E., M.M. and the Head of the Information Office of Naval Forces, Commodore of the Armed Forces Mohamad Zaenal, S.E., M.M., M.Soc., Sc.
For his part, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries was accompanied by the General Secretary of the Ministry, Sjarief Widjaja; Director General of Capture Fisheries, R. Narmoko Prasmaji; Director General of Maritime Space Management, Brahmantya Setyamurti Poerwadi and Director General of Marine and Fishery Resource Monitoring, Dr. T. B. Haeru Rahayu, A.Pi., M.Sc.
In view of the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held in compliance with the health protocols as instructed by the Government.
During the Meeting, the Chief of Staff pointed out that the Navy Office of Maritime Potential trains fishermen in both capture fishing and cultivation fishery. They will continue to cooperate more closely with fishermen in the future, especially with those located in vulnerable areas. “The ships of both the Navy and the Ministry are committed in their cooperative law enforcement to defend the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone,” the Chief of Staff said.
The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries corroborated the statement by confirming that the Ministry embraces the same aspirations as the Navy, i.e., to develop the marine and fishery sector despite the threat and impediments of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Exports continue to rise, global demand as well, while many of our potentials are still underdeveloped. Therefore, we need to sustain and upgrade communication with fishing communities, in line with instructions delivered to us by President of RI Joko Widodo. One of our proposals is to establish a strong fish cultivation sector, as a foundation for the generation of employment and augmented State income,” said the Minister. (nhn)