INDONESIA'S BELOVED OUTER ISLAND: MARAMPIT ISLAND.

let me ask you a simple question first, 

have you ever heard about Marampit Island before?

.....

okay some of you might already notice this super beautiful (yet sadly, super remote) island of Indonesia. but I bet some of you who's reading this right now, never heard any of its news or even heard about it just now.

that is the reason why I chose this island to talk about for my midterm test-sake.

as I said before, Marampit is really, really pretty. need some proofs? here we go. 

I personally love and addicted to beach. when it comes to an island with beaches around the island, there I found "heaven is on earth" moment.

lets talk about how remote this area is. proven by Google Map, Marampit Island is truly one of the outer island in Indonesia. here are the proofs.

that is why this Island is so susceptible of being "stolen" from the beloved Indonesia.

Indonesia is a country known for the motto Bhineka Tunggal Ika which is the motto of unifying the nation. The slogan has managed to bring Indonesia as an archipelagic country becomes independent and united as a unitary state. As we know, as an archipelagic country, Indonesia has challenges and obstacles in the construction of the outer islands. Whereas the outer islands have a very important role in the bordering region of Indonesia with neighboring countries.

There are 94 outer islands in the Indonesian state directly adjacent to the neighboring countries, and there are 12 outer islands that need special handling from the government because of vulnerability to the limit of the neighboring countries. Some islands, including Marampit island, become the frontline nation in defending the limits of the Homeland. But infrastructure development in these islands is very worrying.

Development in the outer islands has become the responsibility of the government, but that does not mean that people can wash its hands of it. The public can also do development in the outer islands, although not the construction of infrastructure, people can do economic development and education in the outer islands so that the people in the outer islands can become self-sufficient in building its territory and does not continue to rely on the government or private companies that become donors in terms of development.

Self-reliance in building the outer islands is very important, because it can help advance the outer islands in various fields, such as economics, education, social, and cultural, which can encourage the development of construction in the region of the outer islands. When this is done, the benefit is not government, but society itself which has been able to improve the quality of life.

ABOUT MARAMPIT ISLAND (and its history) :

Marampit Island in Nanusa Islands with an area of 14.99 square km. Administratively, the island is included into the district area Nanusa, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi. Marampit island inhabited by the 1436 Soul, with community livelihood as farmers and fishermen. Copra, nutmeg, and fruits are bought and sold crops there. While the fishermen sell the fish to the reef fish Karatung, Capital Nanusa Islands. Marampit population inhabit four villages namely Marampit, Laluhe, Dampulis, and Marampit East. Four villages into place data collection Frontier Expedition Marampit Island archipelago. Dampulis known as a fishing village and has a tradition of making a boat. Marampit boat has its own peculiarities. Is small and has a roof. The roof is used as penghalau large waves that are often found in waters around the Islands Nanusa. Marampit in Talaud means Closures. This is because due to the shape of this island. The island is located in front Marampit Bantek Island, Big Island that have a shape like a horseshoe. Horseshoe shape is like a closed because Marampit Island right in front of him. Bantek island itself is now gone along with the tsunami earthquake that occurred in the 10th century and now only remaining Kakarotan Island at the southern end. Marampit rich in endemic flora and fauna. The expedition team discovered a variety of flora and fauna are unique and not found in other areas such as the old crab Walnuts, Pergam or better known as a forest dove, and Kingfisher with a variety of colors. On the island there is a fortress of karst heritage Marampit Bantek Kingdom. The text of the description of Queen Banua, known to exist in the Kingdom Bantek Ages 7 and had fought to maintain the territory of the Zulu Kingdom, the Philippines. Now the ruins of the fortress can easily be found in Marampit. From the fort it was also revealed that the Kingdom of Majapahit had stopped at the island Marampit. This can be seen from the tiles left in the fortress of the karst. Marampit, a property that we should keep.

now, let's talk about what Indonesian should do to keep this island's bond with NKRI strong.

THREATEN(s):

- Internally

1. Federalism thoughts of Indonesian people itself.
2. Prosperity and security of the people on that island
3. The identity of Indonesian nationalism has faded
4. Dissension between tribes and races
5. etc.

- Externally

1. Military force from abroad
2. Illegal immigrants
3. Terrorism
4. etc.

INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON OUTER ISLANDS :

Indonesia is an archipelago since Deklarasi Juanda on 1957 and inaugurated by Undang-Undang Nomor 4/PrP/1960, which then changed by Undang-Undang RI nomor 6 Tahun 1996 tentang Perairan Indonesia and internationally acknowledged by Konvensi Hukum Laut PBB or United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 which has clarified by Indonesia , by Undang-undang No. 17 tahun 1985.

there are three exact important functions of outer island :

1. As defence and security function,

2. As economic function,

3. As ecological function.

To make these three happens, there are few strategies that Indonesian Government do (or maybe should do).

First, is to open the access to international world by opening some international harbours and focusing on developing globalization on these outer Islands. but also tighten-up immigration safety system.

Second, to develop the island's population by "memberdayakan masyarakat dan instansi."

Third, inviting the private sector participators to invest and to develop the island, especially on remote area.

and so many more. 

but those strategies can't be done without our effort to make those happens and we can't just depends on governmental policies. we can not just stand by and expect assistance from various parties, we as a society have in the outer islands should be able to improve the quality of our lives in many ways. Creative thinking to develop a business that can promote the region itself are small steps we can do to maintain the integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia as an archipelago.

So that is all that I can say about this beloved island of ours, Indonesian.

and here is my all time favorite quote about Indonesia said by our very own literateur, Goenawan Muhammad, 

“… sebab mencintai tanah air, nak, adalah merasa jadi bagian dari sebuah negeri, merasa terpaut dengan sebuah komunitas, merasa bahwa diri, identitas, nasib, terajut rapat, dengan sesuatu yang disebut Indonesia, atau Jepang, atau Amerika. Mencintai sebuah tanah air adalah merasakan, mungkin menyadari, bahwa tak ada negeri lain, tak ada bangsa lain, selain dari yang satu itu, yang bisa sebegitu rupa menggerakkan hati untuk hidup, bekerja dan terutama untuk mati..”

TANAHKU YANG KU CINTAI, ENGKAU KU BANGGAI, INDONESIA.

(references : http://perjalanan36.blogspot.co.id/2012/01/pulau-marampit-pulau-teluar-nan-elok.html, http://sasmini.staff.uns.ac.id/2009/11/03/pengelolaan-dan-pengamanan-pulau-pulau-terluar-indonesia/ )

DISCLAIMER: all above are just some personal opinions and I didn't mean to criticize anything or anyone. peace out x