REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli should focus on developing infrastructure in the eastern Indonesian region, Founder and Director of Archipelago Solidarity Foundation Engelina Pattiasina said.

"In accordance with the president's commitment to advance the maritime sector, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli should focus on the eastern Indonesian region, particularly Maluku, Papua, and NTT," Pattiasina stated here on Thursday.

She believes that the minister can facilitate coordination among the fields of maritime affairs, transportation, energy and mineral resources, forestry, and tourism.

According to Pattiasina, infrastructure and ports in Maluku, NTT and Papua should be built and developed to create new economic zones.