UNAIR NEWS – Indonesia is one of the largest archipelagic countries in the world.The sea covers 1,910,931.32 sq km (Kemendagri 2010) makes Indonesia a maritime country.In line with it, the government through the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs initiated a program called Expedition Nusantara Jaya (ENJ) in the last three years.
The program focuses on reaching 3T areas (outermost, remote and disadvantaged) with empowerment in various fields from education, economy, health, to the environment.The participants were from three different levels, school students, college students, and youth.
One of the UNAIR students selected was Lukiyati Ningsih.The student of historical science of Faculty of Humanities got to Riau Islands expedition route.If in the college students category, the participants were UNAIR students themselves, the youth category brings together youth from all over Indonesia with various backgrounds.
The Riau Islands group consists of a hundred participants with the purpose to serve in Lingga Regency.They were then divided into three teams, team 1 in Posek Island, team 2 in Singkep West, and team 3 in Selayar Island.
The journey from Port Punggur Batam to Lingga Regency took 15 hours by Roro ship.Arriving at the Port of Dabo Lingga, the journey continues to every island for 15 minutes withpompong(machine boat).The event was held on 13-21 September 2017.
In the field of education, there are several programs implemented, such as Maritime Troop Class, Motivation and Scholarship,English Fun, House Reading Development, and Maghrib Mengaji.
Education on Selayar Island itself was deemed to be quite advanced.However, schools are not spread evenly.There is still limited information, especially related to government programs such as Bidikmisi scholarships.
In terms of literacy, Selayar Island is similar to other coastal areas with minimal interest in reading and writing.“Therefore, we develop reading house by utilizing the existing building there,” said one member of the team.
In the field of economy, dissemination of internet usage in coastal micro-enterprises was also done.In the field of environmental health, blood pressure examination, healthy calisthenics, socialization of healthy living behavior, coastal area care, stress management, andsmart parentingwere conducted.
Being able to meet the Lipan Island sea tribe was one of the most exciting experiences.Now their life is not as traditional as it used to be.Sea tribes have been touched by government programs, from relocation to the stage house, mass marriage, to the making of certificates for children.
In addition, in these locations, access to electricity and clean water is very limited.“Everyday there is only sea transportation and it makes me realize that there is a big challenge for younger generation to bring Indonesia to a better direction,” she said.
Lingga Regency, known as Bunda Tanah Melayu is exposed to progress.But there is a limited access to transportation, internet, or other needs.As a result, the price of some basic necessities is so expensive.
The role of Indonesian youth in the 3T region is indispensable.The vastness of territory of Indonesia and not most of them been entirely touched by government programs.Indonesia is not only about the capital city, Surabaya, or Bandung only, but also the areas on the periphery, 3T area. They are parts of the motherland.
By following ENJ, the young generation who will lead Indonesia in the future, will not only based their policy on the mainland, but also consider the seas that cover one third of Indonesian territory.
According toAlfred Thayer Mahan’stheory, there are six elements that determine whether a country can develop into a marine power, the geographic position, the shape of land and coast, the size of the territory, the population, the character of the population, and the nature of its government including national institutions.
Have these six points been achieved by Indonesia?
Author: Lukiyati Ningsih (Participant of Expedition Nusantara Jaya (ENJ) 2017听)
Editor: Feri Fenoria
