Lemhannas RI Holds FGD on Harmonizing Maritime Security Policy

The Deputy for Strategic Studies at the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (Lemhannas RI) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Urgent and Rapid Studies (Jurpat) titled “Harmonization of Maritime Security Policy to Enhance National Maritime Security" in the Kresna Room of Lemhannas RI on Tuesday (21/04). The FGD was opened directly by the Governor of Lemhannas RI, Dr. H. TB. Ace Hasan Syadzily, M.Si.

"In recent years, discussions on maritime security are no longer merely a matter of defense, but have become a driving force for the continuity of maritime economic activity, national connectivity, natural resource resilience, and Indonesia's diplomatic reputation in the region and the world," said the Governor of Lemhannas RI in his opening remarks. He noted that maritime security management must be effective and well-coordinated to properly realize the strategic archipelagic maritime vision.

Through this FGD, Lemhannas RI contributed ideas on harmonizing maritime security policy to strengthen national maritime security. The recommendations formulated from today’s discussion are expected to encourage harmonization in the formulation of maritime security policy, thereby strengthening national maritime security as an integral part of bolstering our national resilience.

The FGD, facilitated by Dr. Margaretha Hanita, S.H., M.Si, a Professional Expert for National Resilience and Archipelagic Outlook at Lemhannas RI, featured several speakers. The Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dr. Dave A.F. Laksono, M.E., served as the first speaker and discussed the Obstacles and Strategies for Completing the Maritime Security Bill.

"Today, through the maritime security bill, we are building efforts toward judicial and operational sovereignty, so that we not only possess the sea but are also able to secure and manage it independently," said Dave Laksono.

"Indonesia is not merely located between two continents and two oceans. Strategically, Indonesia can be considered a Global Supply Chain Hub. As an archipelagic nation, our maritime territory serves as the lifeline of world trade, through vital routes such as the Malacca Strait, the Sunda Strait, and the Lombok Strait," Dave Laksono added. He noted that this strategic position also creates a complex and multidimensional spectrum of challenges, including threats to sovereignty, threats to security stability, and environmental threats such as waste pollution.

Therefore, the Maritime Security Bill can serve as a security and defense instrument to protect national resources. “Maritime security is not about who holds the most power, but about how we unite to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty,” said Dave Laksono in closing his presentation.

Other speakers present at the FGD included a Professor at the Indonesian Defense University and Admiral (Ret.). Prof. Marsetio; the Main Secretary of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA RI), Rear Admiral Samuel H. Kowaas, M.Sc., CSBA; Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, S.H., LL.M, Ph.D; and the Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Dr. Pung Nugroho Saksono, A.Pi., M.M. (SF/CHP/MDF)