Indonesia Not Maritim Country: Former Minister

Denpasar, Bali, Oct 10 (Antara) - An adviser to the maritime and fishery minister said Indonesia, the world`s largest archipelago, is not yet a maritime country. "Seas make up two third of the Indonesian territory, but that does not make the country a maritime country," former maritime and fishery minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said. Indonesia was once a maritime country during the ancient kingdoms of Majapahit and Sriwijaya, "but now it was long over," said Sarwono the country`s first maritime and fishery minister. "People are often wrong in their understanding of a maritime country," he said when opening a photograph exhibition here on Wednesday night. He said a country could be called a maritime country depending on the advancement it has made in the development of maritime-based industry and commerce. Indonesia is still far from deserving the title of a maritime country, he said, adding the navy could not even provide adequate support to make Indonesia a maritime country. He cited the United States and China as examples of maritime countries with strong support from their navies. He hoped that Indonesia could exploits the riches in its sea territory to support the country`s economic development and improve the people`s welfare.