President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made the development of Indonesia’s maritime sector his main business when he delivered his first speech as the Seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia in October 2014. “At sea, we triumph,” the President quoted the motto of the Indonesian Navy. When he took office, the President made clear that he meant what he said by establishing a new coordinating ministry and putting three ministries—the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Transportation—under its coordination. The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs quickly became one of the most crucial positions ever created for the cabinet. Though nearly two years have passed, two individuals have led the ministry. The President couldn’t seem to settle with his past picks—the first one was too slow, and the one that followed was, well, too much. And yesterday, the President appointed the third Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs—the President’s own political juggernaut—Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. What can we expect?To subscribe please click here
