Marine exploration

Marine exploration

From Media Indonesia

As a nationalist and a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, I am proud of the initiative taken by President Abdurrahman Wahid to set up the Marine Explorations and Fishery Ministry, one of the ministries in his National Unity Cabinet. The establishment of this particular ministry leads us to high hopes that the glory of the Indonesian people as a seafaring nation in the olden days may soon return and Indonesia may prove itself to be united archipelagic state.

However, the ministry has hardly done anything in its, so far, nine months of existence. Only the government may know why this is so. One curious thing to a layman like me, for example, is that it is not clear where the office of this ministry is. Then, many of its human resources are former lecturers. Certainly they are strong in theory but, unfortunately, rather weak in practice.

A website on maritime news -- maritimdo.com -- for example, writes that the minister of marine exploration and fishery, himself being known to be a proactive, communicative and easily understood person usually close to the people, cannot do much because those under him lean too heavily on theories.

Then, we also have heard that the President has set up an Indonesian Maritime Council, an agency attached to the Ministry of Maritime Exploration and Fishery. Unfortunately, we have heard next to nothing about its activities. It has been reported that this council has held, together with the Association of the Netherlands and Indonesia, a workshop on fishermen's communication radio but we have heard nothing about its outcome.

So, here are some words of encouragement to the Ministry of Maritime Exploration and Fishery: Make sure that the community is kept informed of your activities.

ACHMAD NURYADI

Jakarta