President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized the importance of a state defense and security design for the outermost parts of Indonesia during a working visit to Southwest Maluku District, Maluku, on Thursday.
He underlined the need for strengthening and designing state defense and security based on a series of working visits to Maluku Province, including Southeast Maluku District, Aru Islands District, Tual City, and Saumlaki.
"Southwest Maluku District is one of the outermost districts in the east. We see the need for a design for state defense and security at the most important location," he said in an official statement received here.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
Widodo visited Tiakur Beach on Moa Island, Southwest Maluku, to inspect one of the outermost points of Indonesia, namely Leti Island, which borders Timor Leste. Leti Island can be seen directly from Tiakur Beach.
"Today, we have reviewed the points that need state defense and security," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Subianto said that he had received orders from President Jokowi 2.5 years ago to prepare a major design for national defense.
The design would also include securing archipelagic sea lanes in Indonesia, which are the routes used for conducting 60 percent of the global sea trade.
"Our wealth in this region is very large, not only fish wealth, but also mineral wealth under the sea, gas, and oil under the sea as well," Subianto disclosed.
According to him, most of Indonesia's future wealth will be in eastern Indonesia. For this reason, the outermost islands in the region must be designed to be a part of national defense, he emphasized.
"The outermost islands in this region must be designed as part of our defense system. Of course, we will do this carefully and involve all relevant institutions," he added.
Baca juga: Presiden Jokowi didampingi Prabowo tinjau penyerahan kendaraan bermotor di Kodim 1503/Tual
Editor : Febrianto Budi Anggoro
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2022