Written by :
Darynaufal Mulyaman
Key Issues:
In recent decades, there has been a growing recognition of the ocean's importance. Indonesia's "global maritime fulcrum" vision sees the nation actively shaping the maritime order for economic prosperity and regional security.
By embracing a holistic approach to maritime security and resource management, investing in infrastructure and capacity building, and establishing clear strategic goals, Indonesia can harness the immense potential of its maritime domain to ensure a secure and prosperous future for its people.
To enhance Indonesia's national maritime security system, it is most effective to decentralize its sovereignty to the people, thereby establishing collective security measures.
It is crucial to invest in the education and human development of coastal communities. This will enable them to engage proactively in safeguarding their well-being and the marine ecosystem.
Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic nation, boasts a rich maritime heritage. Yet, its approach to maritime security remains a work in progress. This essay explores Indonesia's evolving maritime identity, the challenges it faces in realizing its full potential as a "global maritime fulcrum," and the urgent need for a more focused and strategic approach to securing its vast maritime domain. Historically, Indonesia's maritime identity has fluctuated. During periods of colonial rule, the focus was on resource extraction and trade routes, neglecting the intrinsic connection between the people and the sea. Post-independence, there was a renewed focus on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, but this often manifested in a reactive approach to maritime threats like piracy and illegal fishing.
However, recent decades have witnessed a growing recognition of the ocean's significance. The concept of Indonesia as a "global maritime fulcrum" embodies a vision of a nation actively shaping the maritime order, leveraging its strategic location and vast resources for economic prosperity and regional security. Then, the cost of inconsistency and delays in formulating a comprehensive maritime strategy is significant. Indonesia's vast untapped maritime potential remains unrealized, while continued threats like illegal fishing and environmental degradation erode the sustainability of its marine resources.
Hence, Indonesia's journey towards becoming a global maritime fulcrum is an ongoing process. By embracing a holistic approach to maritime security and resource management, investing in infrastructure and capacity building, and establishing clear strategic goals, Indonesia can harness the immense potential of its maritime domain to ensure a secure and prosperous future for its people. The vast blue expanse surrounding Indonesia is not just a geographical feature; it is a strategic asset and a wellspring of opportunity. By navigating its maritime future with focus, Indonesia can truly claim its rightful place as a leader on the world's oceans.
As Indonesia already know and using collective defence and security system, to be frank, Indonesia just needs to stay put in this strategy as this strategy as old as Indonesia itself. With more humanized and holistic approach, this kind of strategy could be lethal and Indonesia is in upper hand, since Indonesia is one of a kind in the entire world that known to have the knowledge of this kind of way, even from the age of Majapahit, Dutch colonialism, and globalization era.
...the best way to improve Indonesia’s national maritime security system is through disperse its sovereignty to the people..
Therefore, the best way to improve Indonesia’s national maritime security system is through disperse its sovereignty to the people, hence establishing collective security measure. The humanized approach for bringing prosperity of Indonesian blue economy could comprehend the necessity of collective security that mainly already exist in Indonesian defence system. By delivering prosperity of the blue economy to the Indonesian coastal societies, we also delivering guarantee from the people to help maintain our collective security system with guaranteed knowledge (education and human development) that could be embedded to the people, guaranteed “bela negara” and “gotong royong” feel for rising nationality awareness. These two aspects are vital foundation for the collective security measure.
While a strong centralized maritime security apparatus is undoubtedly essential, Indonesia's vast archipelago demands a more nuanced approach. This essay proposes that by dispersing the responsibility for maritime security and fostering a sense of collective ownership among coastal communities, Indonesia can significantly enhance its national maritime security system.
Then the so-called Pertahanan Keamanan Rakyat Semesta that we already have, can be embrace and emphasize more for our frontier system for our ocean security. Since we need but we still don’t have yet large financial capabilities to produce high technology, we use our modified local wisdom for our best sake, as General TNI (Ret.). Mulyono (2017) once said “Semangat rela berkorban jiwa dan raga juga ditunjukkan tanpa gentar dan ragu saat para pejuang yang hanya bersenjatakan bambu runcing harus berhadapan dengan tentara penjajah yang memiliki persenjataan modern” means despite the cliché, yet the deficiency in many material aspects could be replace with goodwill strategy and modified approach that could be dangerous with high-technology as well. Indonesian geography aspect that possessed hard terrain and condition might be not friendly for the enemy from anywhere, thus this situation should be intactly developed as non-direct weapon with some modified features like stated above, while ensuring the prosperity could multiple so high technology also can be acquired and produced.
Therefore, a key aspect of this strategy lies in recognizing the human dimension of maritime security. The prosperity of Indonesia's "blue economy" – encompassing fisheries, tourism, and marine resource exploitation – is inextricably linked to the security of its maritime domain. By ensuring the well-being of coastal communities, Indonesia can cultivate a sense of shared responsibility for safeguarding its waters. This aligns with the existing emphasis on collective security within the Indonesian defence system.
Investing in the education and human development of coastal populations is paramount. This empowers them to participate actively in protecting their livelihoods and the marine environment. Such investments would foster a deeper understanding of national security concepts ("bela negara") and a spirit of communal cooperation ("gotong royong"). These ingrained cultural values serve as a vital foundation for building a robust collective security system.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of a more collaborative approach to maritime security are significant. Empowered coastal communities play a crucial role in monitoring illegal activities, providing vital local knowledge, and acting as the first line of defence against maritime threats. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility for maritime security and prosperity, Indonesia can create a more sustainable and effective system that safeguards its blue treasure trove for generations to come.
Disclaimer
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Related to
Defense Policy and Strategic Division
About the Writer
Dary is an in-house lecturer and Director of Center of Securities and Foreign Affairs Studies at I.R. Study Program, Universitas Kristen Indonesia. He followed non-traditional securities, politival economy, development, and area studies issues, like Korean matters.
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