KTI Connectivity, Infrastructure of Transportation is Needed for New Economic Point
reported by: Setiawan Liu
Jakarta, September 9, 2023/Indonesia Media – Professor of Transportation Science at the technical faculty of Pattimura University (UNPATTI), Ambon, Professor Dr. Ir. Marcus Tukan sees the reinforcement of connectivity in the Eastern region of Indonesia, especially in the infrastructure development of sea transportation, in which various economic points will grow. Transportation infrastructure in small islands and outside of the regency of southwest Maluku (MBD), province of Maluku could strengthen the industry and main commerce with Australia. The balance sheet of Indonesia – Australia commerce, encompass the commodities of coal, crude petroleum, wheat grain, sugar, etc. The trade value of both countries reached trillions rupiah. “Gate of Eastern Indonesia commerce must be established in the eastern region. The voyage from Australia to Maluku must be less than 24 hours with a speedster. Kisar Island is one of the outermost islands as an alternative gate of Eastern Indonesia commerce,” said Professor Marcus Tukan.
Kisar Island, one of the outermost islands of the Indonesia region is located in the waters of Selat Wetar and is bordered by the side of South by east end waters of Timor Island which is part of Timor Leste. During the calm season of ocean waves, which falls from June to August, the people of Kisar Island could see the lights turning on in Darwin, Australia. The ship moves approximately 50 miles to Darwin, Indonesia. “Kisar used to be an island and changed into a city. I’m comparing Kisar to the city of Batam, Province of Riau Islands (Kepri). In the past, Batam had nothing, not even a source of clean water. Batam also did not have big rivers. But now, it has become the centre of the economy because of industrialism. Kisar could also be rectified until it looks like Batam,” said Professor Marcus Tukan during the discussion towards Golden Indonesia 2045 in University of Indonesia (UI) Campus, Depok.
To this day, there’s an imbalance in the activity of unloading cargo containers between the eastern region and western Indonesia. Such matter is caused by the difference in consumption and production. Production activity in the island regions like Maluku is still determined by the weather. The commitment of the central government is needed, especially in the form of incentives, policy and regulation. The solution to maintaining the balance of cargo could also be enlarging the size of the ship, decreasing the cost of ship operation so that it pushes the competition in that region. “Various references (strengthening connectivity), the harbour determines the economic gate of a region. From several transportation types to shipping out goods, shipping by harbour cargo has become most people’s number one choice. Cargo also costs cheap shipping,” said Professor Marcus Tukan. (sl/IM)
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