Facilities Still Hampered, Minister Trenggono Evaluates Pujiharjo KNMP Development
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, paid a working visit to the Merah Putih Fishermen Cooperative (KNMP) Pujiharjo, Malang Regency, on Wednesday (4/3). The visit aimed to directly evaluate the progress of facility construction that underpins the local fishermen’s economy.
After reviewing similar projects in NTT and NTB, Trenggono stressed the importance of quality standards in the development of Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih to provide long-term benefits.
“This is part of my visit to oversee the development of Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih. We want to ensure that what is built meets standards and quality, so that it can function properly and well,” he said in a statement received on Wednesday (4/3).
He admitted he had noted a number of works that must be completed soon. One of them concerned the supply of clean water which is still brackish, as well as sedimentation at the boat docking area.
“This morning I called the contractors to correct them properly. On the clean water issue this must be resolved. Sedimentation of the docking area will also be addressed,” he asserted.
Although not yet fully completed, some facilities have reportedly started operating. The ice factory has been producing, cold storage has been brought into use, but the facilities for the Fishermen’s Fuel Filling Station (SPBN) are still in coordination for immediate construction.
“Indeed this is not finished 100 percent, but it can operate. Yet unfinished facilities must be completed immediately,” he added.
Trenggono also emphasised that the management of Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih will in the future be run by the Merah Putih Cooperative professionally, with mentoring and coordination with the Ministry of Cooperative.
“This year we plan a thousand Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih across Indonesia. The requirements will of course be adjusted to the needs and number of fishing boats in each region,” he explained.
Separately, Malang Regency Fisheries Office head, Victor Sembiring, said that based on the 2025 contract, the physical progress of KNMP had actually reached 100 per cent.
“Under the 2025 contract the progress was already 100 percent. Everything has been built well, although there were some evaluations by the Minister that need to be refined,” Victor said.
He added that in 2026 there is a proposal for continued development, including a SPBN to be located at the port side.
In addition, significant sedimentation will be dredged and revetment strengthened so that the channel for ships in and out is wider and safer.
“The aim is that all ships can enter this estuary and no longer anchor on sand, but directly in the water. That will extend ships’ lifespans because the damage risk is lower,” he said.
Brackish water problems will also be addressed through drilling for fresh water this year for the ice factory’s needs. The ice factory is currently built with a capacity of around 2 tonnes per cycle.
“It cannot yet meet 100 percent of the needs, especially in fishing season. But at least when it is not a season, the ice needs can be met from here,” he added.
Victor also mentioned the proposal for road access construction that has been presented to Malang Regent Sanusi and is hoped to be realised soon with support from relevant agencies.
According to him, the KNMP development to boost fishermen’s economic growth in the area. He noted that the number of fishing boats at Pujiharjo has increased significantly in recent years.
“In 2017 there were about 30 boats here. Now there are 300. In other words, a tenfold increase,” he said.
Pujiharjo is also a hub for layur fish, a major export commodity. In 2025 alone, layur production in Pujiharjo reached 5,000 tonnes with a selling value around Rp50,000 per kilogram.
“This is one of the economically important fish. Because the potential and growth of the fishermen is good, this area is considered worthy of becoming Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih,” he said.
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