MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Central Board of Muhammadiyah’s Community Empowerment Council (MPM PP Muhammadiyah) held an online forum this week to address key policy challenges facing fishermen and coastal communities, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to grassroots engagement.
The forum titled “Jalamu Menebar Ilmu,” focused on Fishermen’s Dialogue: The Dialectics of Measured Fishing, Non-Tax State Revenue, and Ship Naturalization. MPM PP Muhammadiyah organized the event through its Division for Fishermen and Coastal Community Empowerment, with participation from fisheries experts and coastal policy observers.
M. Nurul Yamin, chairperson of the council, said the discussion reflected Muhammadiyah’s priority agenda following its 48th national congress in Surakarta. One major focus, he noted, is strengthening grassroots movements, particularly among fishermen.
“One of Muhammadiyah’s post-congress priorities is reinforcing engagement at the grassroots level,” Yamin said on Wednesday night (24/12). “Fishermen represent one of the most strategic grassroots communities.
Furthermore, he said Muhammadiyah seeks to contribute ideas and solutions alongside other national stakeholders to improve the welfare of coastal populations. The forum explored public debates surrounding the Measured Fishing Policy, known as PIT, non-tax state revenue mechanisms, or PNBP, and the naturalization of foreign fishing vessels.
“These issues continue to generate debate.” Yamin said, “Dialogue allows us to bring together different perspectives and seek constructive solutions.”
He also praised the Fishermen and Coastal Community Empowerment Division and the Muhammadiyah fishermen association, Jalamu, for initiating the forum. Such discussions, he added, help Muhammadiyah remain consistent and relevant in addressing public concerns.
Regulatory Complexity Remains a Challenge
Suadi, vice chairperson of the division, outlined what he described as a four-tier regulatory ecosystem underpinning the Measured Fishing Policy. The structure includes national laws, government regulations, ministerial regulations on quotas and zoning, and ministerial decrees.
Suadi, moreover, stressed that policy evaluations must consider both benefits and risks. Strengthening small-scale fishermen, he said, should remain a priority, as they sustain most coastal communities.
He added that Muhammadiyah has conducted research on infrastructure readiness and fishermen’s capacity to adapt to regulatory changes. (Bintang Adrian)
