PRIME NEWS POST
BATAM – T.A. Khalid, Head of the Special Committee (Pansus) for the Regional Islands Bill at the House of Representatives (DPR RI), has reaffirmed his commitment to steering the enactment of regulations that deliver equitable development for all island regions across Indonesia. According to him, the Regional Islands Bill is far more than a piece of legislation; it represents a strategic step to ensure the State delivers tangible support to communities long contending with geographic challenges and limited access to development opportunities.
During the working visit of the Pansus for the Regional Islands Bill, T.A. Khalid emphasized that Indonesia, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, requires policies tailored to its unique geographic makeup. To date, island regions continue to face high logistics costs, limited inter-island connectivity, and uneven access to education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure.
“Island regions must no longer be governed under the same framework applied to landlocked areas. The State must put in place policies that address geographic challenges while opening pathways to accelerated, equitable development,” T.A. Khalid stated.
He noted that Indonesia’s true strength lies in its seas. Therefore, national development must prioritize the maritime sector as a key driver of economic growth that lifts the welfare of coastal communities and those living on the nation’s outermost islands.
For T.A. Khalid, the Regional Islands Bill will serve as a cornerstone for strengthening development governance aligned with regional characteristics. The regulation is expected to provide legal certainty for local governments in managing maritime resources, speed up infrastructure development, and promote more balanced, proportional fiscal distribution.
Furthermore, the Aceh-born lawmaker stressed that national progress cannot be measured solely by the advancement of major cities. The success of Indonesia’s development agenda hinges on the State’s ability to extend prosperity to small islands, coastal zones, and the nation’s frontline territories.
“Development justice is truly realized only when communities on the outermost islands gain access to quality education, adequate healthcare, reliable infrastructure, and fair economic opportunities,” he added.
T.A. Khalid also underscored the importance of involving local governments, academics, and communities in drafting the bill. Sound regulation, he said, must emerge from public aspirations to effectively address real needs on the ground.
He expressed optimism that once enacted, the Regional Islands Bill will provide Indonesia with a robust legal framework to accelerate maritime development, boost investment, strengthen territorial resilience, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources.
Guided by collaboration and equitable progress, T.A. Khalid hopes the bill will mark a new milestone in realizing Indonesia’s vision as a prosperous, sovereign, and just maritime nation.
“The Regional Islands Bill is an investment in the nation’s future. When the seas become centers of growth and island regions receive equal attention, Indonesia will grow stronger, more developed, and more prosperous,” T.A. Khalid concluded.
Reported from various media sources //photo from Google documents // contribution by Prime News Post international online media // news.paper
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