Vice President: Kampung Bahari Nusantara Binaan TNI AL Vital Solve Poverty Desa Pesisir

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin inaugurated the Kampung Bahari Nusantara program on Untung Jawa Island, Thousand Islands, Monday (15/5/2023). (ANTARA/HO-BPMI Setwapres)

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that the Kampung Bahari Nusantara (KBN) program fostered by the Indonesian Navy is very important and in line with the Government's commitment to solving various poverty problems in coastal villages.

"I view the idea of Kampung Bahari Nusantara, which is driven by the Indonesian Navy, vital. The KBN program which is divided into five clusters, namely education, economy, health, tourism, and defense, is in line with the Government's commitment to solve various poverty problems in coastal villages," said Ma'ruf Amin when inaugurating 68 Kampung Bahari Nusantara simultaneously from Untung Island. Java, Thousand Islands reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 15.

He emphasized that in Indonesia there are 514 regencies and cities with almost 75,000 villages and covering about 88 percent of the total territory of Indonesia. The improvement in the quality of life and welfare of the village community is an indicator determining the success of national development.

"That is why the Government is paying serious attention to the development of villages and rural areas, including those in coastal areas, small islands, and outermost," he explained.

According to Ma'ruf Amin, the number of coastal villages in Indonesia reaches more than 12,000 villages, most of which are still pockets of extreme poverty.

Based on data in 2021, of the total extreme poverty rate in Indonesia, around 12 percent are households of coastal communities. The abundant marine potential, he added, has not been able to overcome the social and economic vulnerability of coastal rural communities.

"The second-longest coastal line in the world followed by the world's second-largest fishery production is a proud and ironic story, because coastal communities are not yet prosperous," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

Kampung Bahari Nusantara is one of the Indonesian Navy's programs to raise the maritime potential of coastal areas in Indonesia.

There are six clusters in Kampung Bahari Nusantara, namely the Defense Cluster, Economic Cluster, Education Cluster, Health Cluster, and Tourism Cluster.

The Defense Cluster at KBN has a mission to empower coastal communities as components to support national defense; while the Economic Cluster is to improve the welfare and economy of the community through empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In addition, the Education Cluster carries out a mission to increase public knowledge and insight regarding technology and national values.

Then, the Health Cluster contains counseling and socialization of a healthy living culture through improving puskesmas services and village maternity huts (Polindes). Finally, the Tourism Cluster to empower villages is a sustainable marine tourism destination.