Govt accused of hegemony over Maluku oceans

M. Azis Tunny , The Jakarta Post , Ambon | Wed, 03/05/2008 2:15 AM | Headlines

A ruling that limits Maluku's authority to issue fishing permits is creating a central government hegemony and reducing local revenue, according to an Ambon academic.

Abraham Tulalessy of the state-run Pattimura University in Ambon said the ruling adversely affected Maluku, which depends on marine resources. Under the ruling, Maluku authorities are restricted to issuing permits for boats of less than 30 gross tons.

According to Abraham, the ruling will benefit foreign fishing boats that frequently poach deep-sea fish in the area.

"Under this ruling, local fishermen will not be allowed to fish outside the exclusive zone because they only have canoes, instead of ships. This will drive down local government revenue from the maritime sector," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Abraham called on the central government to revise the ruling immediately, or foreign fishermen would continue to poach fish from the province's waters while locals could do nothing but watch.

Abraham regretted that regional autonomy could not phase out the central government's hegemony over regions, saying the restriction demonstrates the central government's halfhearted implementation of regional autonomy, especially in the exploitation of natural resources, and shows that the government is unaware of the potential of Maluku's marine resources, the main source of local income.

He said the government should empower fishing communities in the province by providing modern fishing technology that would enable deep-sea fishing.

"Local fishermen could also be used as the government's eyes and ears for information on any foreign infiltration into the country," he said.

In a separate interview, assistant to the governor on social affairs Jopie Patty agreed. Jopie said as 92.7 percent of the province's territory was water, it could not be given the same fiscal balance for the maritime sector as other regions with greater landmass.

He cited as an example Aru Islets regency, which is known for having rich maritime resources, mainly fish, but received the same amount of fiscal balance funds as the mountainous regencies of Gunung Kidul in Central Java and Jayawijaya in Papua.

"It is not fair. We have been mistreated considering the (Aru) regency received only Rp 430 million in the fiscal balance allocation funds, the same amount as those two regencies received this year," he said.

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