REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Noting that plastic waste in the archipelago's sea have serious consequences for the nation, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti stated all parties should work to resolve the matter. The ministry has carried out all the necessary measures to its maximum capability, including by continuously campaigning about it, she remarked.

"Marine debris is creating massive problems for humankind," the minister said in a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday.

The Directorate General of Marine Space Management of the ministry has distributed nets to be set up over a number of river estuaries so the waste materials do not flow into the open ocean through the river, she stressed. Even though the regulation to ban the use of plastic does not come under the purview of the ministry, she reiterated her support and encouragement to the various local governments to issue rules relating to this matter.

She also expressed hope that more people would be made aware of the pollution in the sea and make efforts to avoid the use of plastics in their daily lives.

Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo encouraged people in East Asia and Southeast Asia regions to overcome the problem of plastic waste in the ocean.

"It is important for us to continue to improve cooperation in the maritime field. One issue that is a challenge for all countries is marine plastic debris," said President Jokowi in his statement during the East Asia Summit (EAS) lunch at the Suntec Convention Center in Singapore on Thursday (Nov 15).

Jokowi emphasized that the sea and oceans were the future of all countries, thus their preservation was the responsibility of everyone in the international community. In the 13th EAS Summit, Indonesia proposed the need for collaboration to deal with plastic waste in the sea.

Indonesia also put forward the concept of the EAS Leader Statement in Combating Marine Plastic Waste, as one of the documents, at the EAS 13th Summit. He explained that Indonesia would strive to assign to related bodies in ASEAN a statement about a regional action plan to handle plastic waste.

"Indonesia has expressed its appreciation to EAS for approving its proposal, namely the EAS Leaders' Statement on Combating Marine Plastic Debris," he said.

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