TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo asked his officials to ramp up and optimize the utilization of the fishery sector in Riau Islands' Natuna Regency. Natuna is known for having bountiful fishery resources, yet only 8.9 percent has been worked on.

"We need to speed up on exploiting the potentials so it could bring us benefits," Widodo said when leading a closed cabinet meeting to discuss the development of Natuna's economic potentials, Wednesday, June 29.

The meeting is a follow-up to state officials' visit and meeting held on board the KRI Imam Bonjol that sailed the South China Sea last week.

Jokowi said he wants to focus on several works in Natuna; the first are works related to the fishery industry, the second are works on the oil and gas sector, and the third is to focus on national defense and security, considering Natuna lies on the waters bordering with other countries.

According to the president, out of 16 potential oil and gas blocks in Natuna, only five are producing. Seven blocks are still being explored while the other four are being terminated from operating.

"To secure our natural resources and sovereignty in Natuna—the outmost front of our nation's perimeter—I have reminded the TNI, especially the Navy and Coast Guard, to increase patrols in the area," he said as reported by Bisnis Indonesia.

To make sure said efforts are well-supported, the president also asked for an immediate development of Natuna's infrastructure.

BISNIS.COM