MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment held a public discussion on “Sea Fences, Fishermen’s Fate, Coastal Communities, and the Irony of a Maritime Nation”. Conducted at the Muhammadiyah office on Friday, January 31, the forum examined government policies that threaten both the environment and the livelihoods of coastal residents.
One of the key issues discussed was the sea fencing project in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), which has been criticized for harming local fishermen and disrupting the coastal ecosystem.
The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Anwar Abbas emphasized that government policies should prioritize the well-being of the people, especially those in vulnerable communities.
“If government policies harm the people and violate principles of fairness, we must speak out. Defending the poor and fishermen is part of Muhammadiyah mission,” said Anwar Abbas.
Anwar Abbas also pointed to growing economic and social inequalities, warning that the increasing dominance of oligarchs is making life harder for many Indonesians.
“We cannot allow injustice to continue unchecked. It’s time to take action for the people’s interests,” he added.
The Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment M. Nurul Yamin stressed the importance of addressing the struggles of fishermen and coastal communities. He reaffirmed Muhammadiyah commitment to grassroots movements, particularly in empowering marginalized groups such as fishermen, persons with disabilities, and the urban poor.
“Muhammadiyah has been advocating for fishermen since 2000, starting with the establishment of the Department of Farmers and Fishermen Labor, which later evolved into the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment. We aim to collaborate with the media to ensure the public gets accurate information about the challenges faced by coastal communities,” said M. Nurul Yamin.
Nurul Yamin added that Muhammadiyah would continue working to empower these communities and find solutions to their growing difficulties.
Former Muhammadiyah Chairperson (2005–2015), Din Syamsuddin described the situation in PIK 2 as part of a larger issue, structural injustice in Indonesia’s political and economic systems.
“Muhammadiyah must take the lead in this fight. The PIK 2 issue is part of a broader struggle for justice. This is not just an economic matter but also about fairness and standing with the people,” he said.
Besides, the Head of Fisherman Division of the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment Suadi criticized the privatization of coastal areas and weak government regulations that leave fishing communities vulnerable.
“We are seeing a systematic effort to take away fishermen’s living spaces. The government should step in to regulate and protect them rather than allowing businesses to exploit their livelihoods,” asserted Suadi.
