DPD RI: Prosperous Island Communities Are Indonesia’s First Line of National Defense

14 July 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id – The House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) has reaffirmed that the welfare of people living in Indonesia’s archipelagic and outer island regions is a fundamental pillar of national defense. The Council stated that the Archipelagic Regions Bill (RUU Daerah Kepulauan) is designed not only to promote equitable development but also to strengthen Indonesia’s sovereignty by prioritizing the welfare of communities in border and island areas.

Chairperson of the DPD RI Working Committee on the Archipelagic Regions Bill, Andi Sofyan Hasdam, emphasized that the proposed legislation is not intended to alter territorial boundaries or redefine the state's defense authority. Instead, it seeks to improve the welfare of people living in archipelagic regions so that residents of Indonesia’s outermost islands can serve as a strategic frontline in safeguarding the country's territorial integrity.

"Our goal is to improve the welfare of communities in archipelagic regions so that people living on Indonesia’s outermost islands become a strategic pillar of our national defense," Andi said during a public hearing between the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on the Archipelagic Regions Bill, the DPD RI Working Committee, and the Ministry of Defense at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Monday (July 13, 2026).

The East Kalimantan senator noted that the loss of Sipadan and Ligitan serves as an important lesson that a state's presence is measured not only by military capabilities but also by its ability to ensure the welfare of people living in border and island regions. "The painful experience of Sipadan and Ligitan showed us that the people there felt more prosperous under the administration of another country," he said.

Echoing the view, Vice Chairperson of the DPD RI Working Committee on the Archipelagic Regions Bill, R. Graal Taliawo, stressed that archipelagic and outer island regions should be viewed as an integrated component of both national development and national defense. He argued that strengthening defense should not rely solely on military hardware but also on empowering communities living in border areas.

"One of the key objectives of this bill is to empower border regions, improve the welfare of their communities, and enable them to serve as a living line of defense for the nation," he said.

The North Maluku senator expressed hope that this principle would be reflected in the Bill's List of Issues (Daftar Inventarisasi Masalah/DIM), ensuring that the development of border and archipelagic regions aligns with Indonesia’s national defense interests. A similar view was expressed by Riau Islands Senator Ismeth Abdullah, who underscored the importance of strengthening the state's presence on Indonesia’s outermost islands. He said defense development must go hand in hand with improved public services to ensure border communities are no longer constrained by limited access during security threats or natural disasters.

Responding to the discussion, Director General for Defense Strategy at the Ministry of Defense, Major General Bagus Suryadi Tayo, said the Archipelagic Regions Bill reflects the government's broader commitment to strengthening national interests. He emphasized that developing archipelagic regions, particularly the outermost small islands, is essential to reinforcing the state's presence while improving the welfare of local communities.

"Economic development, public welfare, environmental conservation, and national defense are not competing objectives. They are mutually reinforcing priorities," he said.

Bagus added that the Ministry of Defense views the bill as a valuable contribution to Indonesia's national interests by strengthening the country's maritime posture, enhancing cross-sector coordination, and supporting the integrated development of archipelagic regions in line with national defense, sustainable marine resource management, and community welfare.