Indonesia’s Maritime Governance: Law, Institutions and Cooperation

Since President Joko Widodo took office in 2014, he has placed maritime governance at the top of his agenda, as evidenced by the introduction of his vision on Indonesia as a ‘global maritime fulcrum’. This article discusses how his administration has been working towards such a goal. First, it provides an overview of Indonesian laws related to maritime governance. Second, it looks at the institutions responsible for administering, enforcing, and/or applying those laws and how they have been performing their functions. Third, it explores how those institutions cooperate with external parties in four areas of Indonesia’s major interest at present: maritime security; safety of navigation; protection of the marine environment; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Lastly, this article also discusses the challenges faced by the State in governing its maritime affairs and offers suggestions for a better maritime governance.