Indonesia as the largest archipelagic country in the world, which has tens of thousands of islands and vast and strategic water areas between two continents and two oceans and is at the crossroads of shipping and international trade, makes Indonesia a large maritime country with abundant natural resources. With this extraordinary natural wealth, Indonesia should have become a developed country that is able to guarantee the welfare of its population. However, in reality, the welfare of all Indonesians has not been able to be achieved. Historically, in the past during the era of the kingdoms in the archipelago, especially the era of Srivijaya and Majapahit, the archipelago has become a very strong and respected maritime country in the world. As the ancestors of this nation once achieved, Indonesia can definitely return to being the world’s maritime axis.
Through her scientific writing entitled “Building Indonesia as a World Maritime Axis Based on Historical Perspective”, Prof. Dr. Dra. Endang Susilowati, M.A., a lecturer at the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at Diponegoro University (Undip) conveyed the idea of rebuilding Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis. This was conveyed in her inaugural speech as Undip Professor from the Faculty of Humanities on Wednesday (28/9) at the Prof Soedarto SH Building, Undip Tembalang campus.
In the 7th century, with the establishment of the Sriwijaya kingdom, the archipelago became an archipelagic state. They rely on land potential (a variety of mainstay products and port infrastructure) combined with sea potential (shipping and trade routes and a strong naval fleet), supported by a maritime spirit that is the nation’s identity, successfully becoming the world’s maritime axis. The strength of the archipelago is getting tougher and covers a wide area, especially during the reign of the Majapahit kingdom until the 16th century. Proper management of land potential and mastery of marine potential in a broad sense has proven to have strengthened the two kingdoms into influential maritime empires in Asia and brought prosperity to its people.
Maritime Affairs, which has become the basis of the life of the Indonesian people, has become an aspiration to become the world’s maritime axis as proclaimed by President Joko Widodo. Management of marine potential and water resources in Indonesia is the right way to advance our nation and country. “The world maritime axis is a vision of Indonesia to become a maritime country that is sovereign, advanced, independent, strong, and able to make a positive contribution to regional and world security and peace in accordance with national interests,” said Prof. Endang who has been an active lecturer in the Department of History since 1988.
From a historical perspective, becoming the world’s maritime axis is a necessity, because Indonesia is a large maritime country that is respected not only in the region but also internationally. Furthermore, to achieve Indonesia’s future as a maritime country and the world’s maritime axis, it must pay attention to natural resources and human resources, as well as implement environmentally friendly sustainable development programs.
The development of a stable and growing country in various sectors is the key to building success as a world maritime axis. “We cannot only build production capacity in the marine sector (marine-based production capacity), but we must also be able to generate land-based production capacity. Moreover, all elements of society must be able to create products needed by the market that have a comparative and competitive advantage, both from the marine-based and land-based sectors,” said Prof. Endang in her scientific oration. (Titis – Public Relations)
