Seaweed Only Exported Raw, Titiek Soeharto Calls for Downstreaming to Final Products
Responding to the aspirations and complaints voiced by fishery entrepreneurs and MSMEs regarding complex licensing bureaucracy, the Chairperson of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Siti Hediati Soeharto (Titiek Soeharto), has requested clarity regarding the division of duties between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) to avoid burdening the business sector.
“And for the Quarantine Agency, there should not be an overlap between the two that complicates the process for entrepreneurs or business actors to obtain permits. Perhaps it could be explained that because their tasks differ, Barantin could provide clarification,” said Titiek Soehuroto while leading a Specific Working Visit of Commission IV of the DPR RI in Badung, Bali, on Friday (18/09/2026).
In addition to licensing issues, the Gerindra Party politician expressed significant concern regarding the optimisation of seaweed commodity value-add in Bali. While reviewing exhibitions and processed products, Titiek lamented that the national seaweed production chain is still dominated by the export of raw extracts, whereas derivative products, such as liquid organic fertiliser, must be re-imported.
“In Indonesia, we have so much seaweed that can grow in all types of waters. This can produce seaweed extracts that are exported to India, and from India, they are processed again into liquid organic fertiliser. Why are we only exporting the raw extract to India? The intention is that we process it here, so the fertiliser is finished before being exported. Hopefully, the ministry can work towards this,” Titiek stated.
Titiek emphasised that processing seaweed into end products domestically aligns perfectly with the government’s grand vision to accelerate industrial downstreaming.
“The President also wants downstreaming; everything is available here. If we want to export, let us export finished end products. But are we capable of doing this here? If we can, then the production can all come from here, from Bali. Hopefully, everything can be processed in Indonesia,” she asserted.
Furthermore, Titiek encouraged the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to be more creative in processing marine products into ready-to-eat items, such as tuna gyoza and boneless milkfish, to appeal to children and support the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Additionally, she conveyed the aspirations of fishermen regarding easier access to vessel ownership through a transparent system, similar to a vehicle dealership.