Morotai Island in North Maluku Province is projected be a strategic zone that integrates its geographical shape suitable for defense infrastructure with its ecosystem that is fit for fishery industry in Eastern Indonesia.
The project development − a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) − is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the defense infrastructure development in Morotai will include the construction of three runways. One runway will be dedicated for commercial flights, while the other two for defense purposes.
The infrastructure development will also include the expansion of the dock in Daruba that will be used to support warship operations.
Sjafrie cited that joint military exercises with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines are planned to begin in 2025.
“The population is not too large and Morotai is directly exposed to the sea. Geographically, this is very strategic,” the defense minister said as quoted on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, said that Morotai has historical value as an important location of World War II relics as well as a strategic geographical position for fishery industry development.
“We support the Ministry of Defense’s plan to develop the defense sector in parallel with the economic center through the fishery industry development in Morotai,” Trenggono said.
As for fishery industry development, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries will expand tuna fish farming that has been successfully implemented in Biak, Papua Province.
“The potential for tuna fish in Morotai is quite large. If this cultivation project is successful, we can increase our tuna exports,” Trenggono said.
The main focus of fishery industry development in Morotai is therefore to improve airport and dock infrastructure to facilitate exports of tuna to Japan, the main market for the fishery commodity.
The synergy between the defense and fisheries sectors is expected to make Morotai a strategic area that drives local economic growth while strengthening Indonesia’s geopolitical position.
