ASEAN Talks #12: Maritime Connectivity and ASEAN

Public Lecture by Prof. Ir. Sjarief Widjaja, Ph.D, FRINA

In front of hundreds of students, management, lecturers, and professionals, Prof. Sjarief Widjaja conveyed the potential of Indonesia’s marine resources that 80% industry along with the 75% of Indonesia’s major cities are placed in the coastal region. Indonesia is worldwidely well known as the world’s largest Marine Mega Biodiversity due to its 5.500 fish species (37% of the world’s fish species), 555 seaweed species, as well as its 959 coral reef biota.

Public Lecture by Prof. Ir. Sjarief Widjaja, Ph.D, FRINA

Prof. Sjarief Widjaja also told the audience that Indonesian fisheries potential is increasing along with the ongoing eradication of foreign fishing vessels. In 2013, our marine fisheries potential was around 6.5 million tons and it rose to 12.54 million tons in 2017. This reflects one of the positive effects of the departure of foreign ships and provides an opportunity for fish to regenerate again. Prof. Sjarief Widjaja emphasized that 14 of 47 ports that will be developed for ASEAN connectivity in Southeast Asia, are located in Indonesia. This means 29.7% of the various ports incorporated in the connectivity port scheme for the ASEAN region are located in Indonesia, so the readiness and competitiveness of the various ports must be increased. Some of the 14 ports are Belawan, Dumai, Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Emas, Tanjung Perak, etc.

Discussion with Prof. Ir. Sjarief Widjaja, Ph.D, FRINA

Prof. Sjarief Widjaja also mentioned that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries encouraged local wisdom in managing the potential of fisheries in Indonesia, for example the Regional Government in Bali made a Government Regulation (Perda) regarding to the protected fish, while the Regional Governments in Central Java and East Lampung made Local Regulations about the Rajungan. In addition, the Ministry also encourages LSPR students who are present to become entrepreneurs in the fisheries sector to encourage the utilization of Indonesia’s fisheries potential.

Yuliana R. Prasetyawati, MM, as the Head of CAPRS

According to the Head of CAPRS, Yuliana R. Prasetyawati, MM the event was held was held as the form of support for government’s vision to realize Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis. LSPR Jakarta as a higher education with competencies in communication, is challenged to contribute in educating young generation (known as the Golden Generation) of ASEAN to have better understanding of Indonesia’s maritime potential in order to make maritime as part of our nation’s culture.

Connectivity plays a really important role in accelerating economic integration between ASEAN member countries. One of the achievement of ASEAN cooperation in the maritime field is the creation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) in 2010 and applied in 2016 until 2025 in infrastructure development and maritime facilities form. Therefore, it is necessary to synergize regional infrastructure by planning between ASEAN member countries.

Book Review Discussion with the Writers

There was also a Book Review titled “Refleksi 50 Tahun ASEAN: Regionalisasi Inklusif” with the writers; Yuliana Riana Prasetyawati, MM as the Head of CAPRS and Dr. Verdinand Robertua, as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Science, UKI, also a lecturer of LSPR Jakarta. The book was made to commemorate 50 years of ASEAN formation. Filled with 9 articles from 9 different writers, this book talks about many aspects of ASEAN; diversity of natural, cultural, linguistic, structural, political and economic wealth in Southeast Asia for all ASEAN communities. With this book, the writing team encourages the development of ASEAN in science relations to grow rapidly. ASEAN will face increasingly complex problems and the science of International Relations in Indonesia must seek identity and identity in the discourse of the theory of International Relations which is dominated by the thinkers.

Book Review with the Writers

Inclusive regionalization is a tool in seeing the interaction between regionalization of politics, security, economy and socio-culture. Rivalry, conflict and cooperation contained in an international organization are the forming elements of inclusive regionalization. The idea of inclusive regionalization was deeply inspired by Kofi Annan’s speech at Yale University in 2002 which stated about inclusive globalization. Globalization, which is synonymous with speed and interdependence, as revealed by Kofi Annan, also occurs in regionalization. Regionalization and globalization are not contradictory and conflictual. Regionalization and glibalization occur together and become a challenge for the state and society in formulating strategies that benefit marginalized people. The concept of inclusive regionalization is the answer to the middle ground in the polarization of the international political economy which leads to extreme capital liberalization and protectionism. This inclusive regionalization was also presented along with the 50th ASEAN age celebration. ASEAN must face a variety of issues that are increasingly complex and complicated. International Relations thinkers cannot depend solely on the seepage of regionalism in Europe but are more independent in determining the direction of regionalization of the Southeast Asian version. Inclusive regionalization is expected to be a reflection in the 50 years of ASEAN formation

Ms. Cyntia Keliat, S.I.Kom, MPA as the Moderator

Both of the public lecture and book review discussion were moderated by Ms. Cyntia Keliat, S.I.Kom, MPA, a lecturer of LSPR Jakarta that skilled in Youth Diplomacy, Academic Writing, Organizational Communication, Social Media, etc.

Audience actively asks questions

The audiences were so excited to learn more about maritime and ASEAN that can be seen from the questions asked in the event.

Kicir-Kicir Performance

While ASEAN Talks #12 was opened with Indonesia Raya song and Kicir-Kicir traditional dance performance by Ms. Emilya Setyaningtyas and Bella Ayu Prasetyo as the representative from Indonesia who just got back from ASEAN Youth Camp in China on 7-14th October 2018, this event was closed by token exchange to the speakers.