Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic nation, occupies a strategic maritime crossroads where geopolitics, economics, and environmental concerns converge. Under President Joko Widodo’s leadership, the country has embraced an ambitious vision to transform itself into a “global maritime fulcrum.” This vision aims to assert Indonesia’s sovereignty over its sprawling maritime territories, counter illegal activities, and harness the ocean’s vast resources for sustainable development. However, the challenges of governing such a vast maritime domain, coupled with competing interests, reveal both the opportunities and struggles of ocean governance. Indonesia’s efforts provide invaluable lessons for the global south, particularly for the archipelagic nations that share similar geographies and histories.

Re-Territorializing Indonesia’s Seas

Indonesia’s approach to maritime governance is anchored in the concept of re-territorialization, which seeks to transform vast, unregulated waters into clearly delineated spaces under state control. This strategy operates across three interconnected dimensions: jurisdiction, politics, and economy.

Jurisdictional governance has been a cornerstone of Indonesia’s efforts. By delineating maritime zones under its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the government aims to strengthen its legal authority, reduce disputes with neighboring countries, and create a framework to regulate marine activities. Maritime zoning and spatial planning have emerged as key tools for asserting sovereignty, particularly in contested waters.

Politically, Indonesia has adopted high-profile measures to project control over its seas. The government’s “sinking vessels” policy, where boats caught engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are seized and destroyed, is both a deterrent and a bold assertion of sovereignty. However, while such actions generate headlines, their effectiveness in addressing the systemic causes of IUU fishing remains debatable.

The economic frontier focuses on integrating marine resources into global markets. Indonesia seeks to capitalize on its rich marine resources by attracting foreign investment and promoting marine industries like fisheries and tourism. The commodification of ocean resources is central to Indonesia’s vision of transforming its maritime territories into engines of growth, but it also introduces tensions between economic ambitions and environmental sustainability.

Challenges in Maritime Governance

Despite its ambitious goals, Indonesia faces significant hurdles in implementing its maritime strategy. Governing such an extensive maritime area requires advanced surveillance systems, strong institutional coordination, and substantial financial resources—elements that remain underdeveloped. Illegal fishing continues to plague Indonesian waters, with limited patrol capabilities undermining enforcement efforts.

Moreover, balancing economic development with environmental sustainability presents a persistent challenge. Recent liberalization of fishing regulations, intended to attract foreign investment, risks exacerbating overfishing and degrading marine ecosystems. These policy trade-offs reflect the broader tension between short-term economic gains and long-term ecological resilience.

Lessons for the Global South

Indonesia’s experience offers crucial lessons for the global south, particularly archipelagic nations like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei. Shared waters and interdependent economies necessitate collective approaches to maritime governance.

Regional collaboration stands out as an essential strategy. Issues such as IUU fishing, marine pollution, and habitat destruction transcend national borders and demand cooperative solutions. ASEAN-led initiatives, such as coordinated patrols and shared intelligence, illustrate the potential for regional efforts to address these challenges. However, fragmented implementation and competing national interests often hinder these initiatives, requiring stronger political will and institutional support.

The Global south’s shared cultural and historical ties also offer a unique foundation for maritime governance. For centuries, the seas have connected communities, facilitated trade, and shaped cultural identities across the archipelago. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern governance practices can yield innovative solutions tailored to local contexts. For instance, incorporating indigenous practices into marine spatial planning can enhance resource management while respecting cultural heritage.

Sustainability must remain central to the region’s maritime strategies. The Global south’s marine ecosystems face mounting pressures from overfishing, climate change, and coastal development. Indonesia’s efforts in marine zoning and spatial planning, while not without flaws, highlight the importance of balancing economic exploitation with conservation. The region’s future prosperity depends on maintaining the health and resilience of its shared waters.

The Strategic Importance of Maritime Governance

The stakes for effective maritime governance go beyond economics. The seas are geopolitical arenas where regional and global powers compete for influence. For Indonesia, asserting control over its waters is as much about national security as it is about development. The South China Sea, where Indonesian and Chinese interests frequently intersect, exemplifies the strategic importance of ocean governance. By reinforcing its maritime presence and advocating for a rules-based order, Indonesia strengthens its position while contributing to regional stability.

This geopolitical dimension underscores the need for collective action within the Global south. A unified approach to maritime governance can enhance the region’s leverage in global negotiations and ensure that its shared waters are managed in the interests of all stakeholders.

A Blueprint for the Future

Indonesia’s maritime strategy, while imperfect, provides a blueprint for the broader Global south. By combining re-territorialization efforts with regional collaboration and a commitment to sustainability, archipelagic nations can transform their shared seas into spaces of opportunity and resilience. Success will depend on the ability to navigate competing priorities, mobilize resources, and build inclusive governance frameworks that benefit all stakeholders.

For the Global south, the ocean is more than an economic resource—it is a lifeline that sustains communities, connects cultures, and anchors regional identity. By embracing collaborative governance and innovative solutions, the nations of the Malay archipelago can ensure that their waters remain a source of prosperity and pride for generations to come.

*This article is an excerpt from an academic journal. Read the full publication here.