KSAL: Kampung Bahari Nusantara Involves The Community To Guard The RI Border

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, KSAL Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali and Minister of KP Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (right) gave information after inaugurating Kampung Bahari Nusantara on Untung Island, Java, Thousand Islands (ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi)

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (Kasal) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali said that Kampung Bahari Nusantara is one of the Indonesian Navy's programs to involve the community in guarding the borders and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

Ali said Kampung Bahari Nusantara, especially in the Defense Cluster, prioritizes outer islands that are directly adjacent to neighboring countries.

"For the Defense Cluster, the point is prioritized for the outermost island, which borders the neighboring (state), because it is important related to sovereign territory," Ali said on the sidelines of a review of Kampung Bahari Nusantara with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Untung Island. Java, Thousand Islands, Jakarta reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 15.

He explained that currently the TNI has placed marine troops on several of Indonesia's outer islands.

"In some of the outer islands, we have placed troops, there are marine, there are Army (TNI), there are a combination of Marines and (TNI) Army. On some islands where there are no residents, we place marine troops," he added.

In Kampung Bahari Nusantara, especially on the outer islands, the area through its Defense Cluster is a forum for guidance for the community to maintain the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Constructing the public to be aware and have a sense of defense. So, he knows what the state's territory is, what the boundaries are, and he reports if things happen related to illegal activities, especially those that violate the lines of sovereignty," he explained.

Kampung Bahari Nusantara is currently being formed in 68 coastal villages and villages in various parts of Indonesia. The area oversees five clusters, namely the Defense Cluster, Economic Cluster, Education Cluster, Health Cluster, and Tourism Cluster.

The Defense Cluster in Kampung Bahari Nusantara has a mission to empower coastal communities as a component of supporting national defense; while the Economic Cluster was formed to improve the welfare and economy of the community through empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Education Cluster carries out a mission to increase public knowledge and insight regarding technology and national values. Then, the Health Cluster is in the form of counseling and socialization activities for a healthy living culture through improving puskesmas services and village maternity huts (Polindes).

Finally, the Tourism Cluster aims to empower villages to become sustainable marine tourism destinations.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin simultaneously inaugurated Kampung Bahari Nusantara in 68 locations. In his remarks, Ma'ruf Amin assessed that the existence of Kampung Bahari Nusantara was vital to support national development, and help the government solve various community problems.

"I view the idea of Kampung Bahari Nusantara driven by the Navy as 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 the Vice President.