Achmad Ryan, a member of KMKL, who led the forum, invites all student representatives from various departments were present to explore the Indonesian Sea Highway issue for being discussed. Sea toll issue is not a new thing, Indonesia Port Company (IPC) has handed a similar idea a few years ago only with a different name, Pendulum Nusantara. It was only in the era of President Jokowi concept archipelago pendulum back proclaimed by the name Indonesian Sea Highway. "Actually, this concept emerged since the campaign period, IPC has got this idea for a long time, but recently the government has declared," Ahmad replied when asked about the clarity of this idea.

Sea Highway is a national logistics distribution system based marine by connecting major ports in Indonesia. Sea Highway is expected to create the route that ensures smoothness and efficiency of the current ship movements between ports. If fulfilled, the system is planned to replace the national logistics distribution system which has been referred to the draft Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI) in the era of the leadership of the President. "MP3EI does not answer the purpose and design of the original plan was formed, it gave birth to inequality availability of logistics in the country especially in eastern Indonesia. Sending from here to Denmark could be cheaper than sending from here to Belawan," Ahmad said.

Ahmad thinks that there are inefficiencies in shipping activities in Indonesia today. "In addition to making Indonesian Sea Highway as a national logistics solution, concepts while improving shipping problems in the homeland," Ahmad said. Sea highway scheme is described as a cheap system because it uses a cost-sharing scheme. There will be no major boat trip directly but follow the route that is to carry stuff that accumulates in a full trip. So the ship can carry a variety of goods more but use the one-time cost of travel so that more economical and efficient. As for short-sea shipping is not eliminated but becomes an integral part of the marine highway system as a whole.

On the environmental front, this idea is not believed to be a major impact assessment although it must still be done. Because, all the major ports in use is the port that has been there before, only still needed rejuvenation in certain parts of the harbor. Besides, Ahmad said that the presence of the biggest risks to be faced such as the failure in the operation principle of the idea. Unlike the concept MP3EI develop infrastructure with commodity market (Trade to Ship), a new marine highway idea will work if the commodity market successfully established with the development of infrastructure in advance (Ship to Trade). Ahmad assess if this is not the case, then this idea will fail.

On the other hand this idea will encounter many obstacles. As proposed Rizky, one of the participants questioned the financing of mega projects. This is justified by Ahmad, just that there are many ways to outsmart these constraints. According to Ahmad, there are other major obstacles that require special attention is the political problem. If realized, the sea highway international pressure will come through various aspects. In addition, the construction of sea highway is not a physical development process and the results can easily be perceived as real. The success of this idea actually seen in the establishment of the system, so that the revenue generated difficult political perceive. Therefore, the high levels of government required if the idea is about to be realized. "So the problem is the willingness of the government," Ahmad added.

Dilemma between continuing MP3EI concept or implement Indonesian Sea Highway would be an inquiry. Ahmad did not rule out going to Harvey MP3EI concept as reference master plan Indonesian national logistics distribution system. "MP3EI not exactly fail, just do not go according to plan and purpose and it is possible we will continue the program MP3EI in this case," he explained.

By:
Bayu Prakoso
Irfaan T. R.
Widyandita G.

ITB Journalist Apprentice 2015