Ministry pushes to harmonize Archipelagic Regions Bill with laws

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto said the proposed Bill on Archipelagic Regions should be harmonized with existing laws and regulations to prevent overlapping authorities and legal inconsistencies.

He said such alignment is essential to ensure that the new legislation strengthens the development of Indonesia's archipelagic regions without creating jurisdictional conflicts or contradicting the country's legal framework.

"The government believes it is necessary to harmonize the academic paper submitted by the Regional Representative Council (DPD) to avoid provisions that may conflict with international law and the constitutional system of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," Sugiarto said in a statement released on Friday.

He made the remarks during a meeting of the House of Representatives' Special Committee deliberating the Archipelagic Regions Bill with government officials and the DPD at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday.

Sugiarto said deliberations on the bill should be carried out within the framework of existing regulations governing regional administration, coastal areas, and national maritime affairs.

He stressed that the bill's academic paper should take into account prevailing legislation to ensure comprehensive and sustainable policy harmonization.

Among the laws requiring alignment, he cited Law No. 23 of 2014 on Regional Government, Law No. 1 of 2022 on Fiscal Relations between the Central Government and Regional Governments, Law No. 27 of 2007 on the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, Law No. 32 of 2014 on Maritime Affairs, and Law No. 17 of 1985 ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the same time, Sugiarto acknowledged the challenges faced by Indonesia's archipelagic regions, particularly in connectivity, public service delivery, and efforts to maximize the economic potential of the maritime sector.

He said the government continues to support these regions through various policy measures and development funding.

"We fully understand the needs of archipelagic provinces to maximize their regional potential in order to improve the welfare of their communities," he said.

According to Sugiarto, strengthening the legal framework for archipelagic regions should help accelerate regional development while improving the welfare of people living in areas with unique geographical characteristics.

He expressed hope that deliberations on the bill would produce policies that address regional needs while remaining aligned with national interests.

Sugiarto also welcomed the DPD's initiative to propose the Archipelagic Regions Bill and expressed hope that the legislative process would proceed smoothly and result in legislation that supports Indonesia's development as the world's largest archipelagic nation.

Related news: Maluku urges lawmakers to prioritize inter-island connectivity in bill

Related news: IMO Council membership reaffirms Indonesia`s role as largest archipelagic nation

Translator: Fianda, Azis Kurmala

Editor: Arie Novarina

Copyright © ANTARA 2026