Bawean Tourism Agency supports Archipelagic Region Bill

Ahsanul Haq, Chairman of the Bawean Tourism Development Agency (BP2B), has expressed support for the discussion of the Archipelagic Region Bill (RUU Daerah Kepulauan). He stated that the regulation could serve as a momentum to strengthen public services and development in island regions, specifically Bawean Island in East Java.

Haq noted that island development faces unique challenges compared to mainland areas, including fiscal limitations, transportation access, and higher construction costs. He emphasized the urgency of the bill to ensure dedicated budget certainty for archipelagic regions, preventing development from being hindered by central government budget policies or reductions in regional transfers.

Data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries highlights the developmental gap in Indonesia's small islands. Out of 1,204 inhabited small islands measured by the Small Island Development Index (IPPK), only 3.14 percent are classified as advanced, while 69.35 percent are considered lagging and 4.98 percent are very underdeveloped.