Indonesia Woos Jokowi Netherlands for Investment in Maritime
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has invited the Netherlands to invest in Indonesian infrastructure projects, particularly those that support Jokowi’s maritime sector development program, reports the Jakarta Post. In the maritime sector, the president lauded the Dutch government for its interest to help Indonesia achieve its maritime axis vision. The vision was realized by developing maritime clusters including fisheries, ship development, infrastructure and marine resources. “I invite Dutch companies to be involved in the construction of deep sea ports in eastern Indonesia,” Jokowi said in a statement. He further said the Netherlands is one of Indonesias main partners in the trade and investment fields.
Dangerous Seas Ahead If Indonesia Breaks Up
Pirates and marauders will rule what are now Indonesia's territorial waters if the country disintegrates, increasing security risks to the whole region, Jakarta's minister for maritime exploration said. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said if Indonesia fell apart, there would be no effective regime to police the waters - which include some of the world's busiest and most strategic sea lanes. His warning comes as Indonesia faces growing calls for independence from several provinces, in particular restive Aceh at the northern tip of the Sumatra Island, the gateway to the strategic Straits of Malacca. Analysts worry if Aceh breaks away, it will trigger the disintegration of the country. "If this country breaks up, these archipelagic seas would become internationalized.
