REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti said that policy reforms in the fisheries sector issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries were to uphold Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.
"Continue to carry out reforms (to enforce article 33 of the 1945 Constitution)," said Susi Pudjiastuti at a halalbihalal event at the KKP office, Jakarta, Monday (10/7).
Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, as in paragraph (3) reads, "Earth, water and the natural resources contained therein are controlled by the State and used for the greatest prosperity of the people."
For this reason, said Susi, all fish resources that swim throughout the national waters belong to the Indonesian people and must be protected as well as possible.
Previously, the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Association (KNTI) stated that the government's policy of protecting the domestic fisheries sector faced pressure from G20 countries who wanted trade liberalization.
"If domestic protection is removed, our domestic control will be paralyzed by the power of foreign capital," said KNTI Deputy Secretary General Niko Amrullah.
Niko reminded that, referring to data from the World Food Organization (FAO), Indonesia is the world's third largest fish producer, but when talking about exports of fishery products, Indonesia is not ranked in the top 10 in the world.
This, he continued, shows that the foundation of the national fisheries sector is still weak so protection is still needed.
Niko added that currently the world is experiencing a big challenge, namely food problems for the world's nine billion people in 2050 as a result of climate change, an uncertain economy, and leading to increased competition for the use of natural resources.
For this reason, he stated that the fisheries sector is a target for the Global Development Goals from the food and nutrition aspect, the sustainability of which must be ensured both economically, socially and even environmentally.
"It is not impossible for Indonesia's fish resources to become a world target," he said.
Previously, the Executive Director of Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) Rachmi Hertanti stated that the encouragement and results of the G20 meeting which took place in Hamburg, Germany, should not hinder the achievement of national economic policies.
"Don't let this trade and investment policy reform hinder the achievement of President Joko Widodo's economic policy package to increase national competitiveness," said Rachmi Hertanti.
According to him, the G20's push to discipline a number of domestic regulations to be in line with international trade and investment policies will further narrow the Indonesian government's policy space.
Photo: Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti (VOA)
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