COASTAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COASTAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
By: Asrul Masir Harahap *)

Since the economic crisis triggered by the financial crisis in mid-1997,
economic growth has stalled and even minus the inflation rate increased
rapidly resulting in the standard of living had fallen sharply. The number
of poor people and the unemployment rate increased dramatically. The poor
population has now reached approximately 40% of the entire nation of
Indonesia, while the unemployment rate has reached approximately 30 million
labor force (approximately 15% of the population). Recovery measures and
economic reforms to move the economy and restore prosperity to the
community during times of crisis is now perceived slow.

The economic crisis has raised the surface of the weaknesses of the
implementation of national economic development. Distortion that took place
in the past has resulted in the weakening of the national economic
resilience in the face of crises, causing various forms of social
inequality, and inhibits the ability to deal with the crisis quickly. Less
uneven spread of the implementation of development has led to growing
disparities between regions, between urban and rural areas, between
regions, and between the segments of society that social unrest becomes
very easy and frequent.

Development of Democracy Economic

In the future economic development faces two major challenges, namely:
first, increasing the competitiveness of the industry through increased
efficiency and competitive advantage, which in turn will strengthen
security and economic growth. Second, the implementation of the
decentralization process of gradual economic order economic resource
potential in all areas can quickly become immovable simultaneously broad
economic activity and supported by the growing initiative,
entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial skills among the community.

One of the national development policy in the field of economics that
mandated by the Guidelines 1999-2004 is to develop community economic
system which is based on fair market mechanism to observe the principles of
fair competition and economic growth, the values of justice, social
interest, quality of life, sound development sustainable environment and to
guarantee equal opportunities in business and work, the protection of
consumer rights and fair treatment for all people.

______________
*) Director of PPA Consultants and Regional Development Studies Center
(CeRDeS)

The Guidelines are the directives embodiment National Development Program
(Propenas) 2000-2004 particularly in marine and fisheries development
program aimed to develop and empower the islands and coastal areas as well
as improving the efficiency and productivity of fishery resources, through
integrated coastal and ocean management among multiple uses in a fair,
balanced, and sustainable in order to increase local income and welfare.

Special efforts to improve the welfare of society and poverty reduction has
been implemented nationwide through government programs such as program
development Inpres Villages (IDT) as stipulated in Presidential Decree No.
5 of 1993 and the Social Safety Net (SSN), which commenced in the year
1998/1999 after the financial crisis and a financial crisis that hit
Indonesia.

Coastal Communities of North Sumatra

Based on data P3DT project, in the province of North Sumatra there are as
many as 160 village categorized as backward villages. Community empowerment
as a central concern of monetary and economic crisis has resulted in an
increased number of poor people in North Sumatra significantly. Data from
BPS North Sumatra in 1999, there were 1,674,478 people living below the
poverty line or 14:21% of the total population in North Sumatra, and
657,953 families classified in the category of disadvantaged families and
1st prosperous.

In North Sumatra, coastal communities, especially small-scale fishermen and
fishing workers, is one of the lowest income population groups as well as
farmers. So the issue of poverty, the fisherman will always be mentioned as
the object of discussion. In other words, fishing communities are the
poorest members of society than other subsistence.

Poor villages in North Sumatra are generally coastal region. On 100 km
long coastline,(the east coast of Sumatra as in Langkat has there are 6
districts (38 villages) with a population numbering approximately 2500
households livelihood entirely from marine and fisheries. In general,
marine and coastal fisheries by the public is done in the traditional way
in which knowledge and skills are still very simple that needs to be
improved.

Not only on the east coast of North Sumatra, there are also many backward
villages in the west coast of Sumatra. Christmas Mandailing new districts
over three years of existence, has 63 villages, of which there are 26
villages in the coastal areas or approximately 41.27%. The condition is
caused more by dropping the human factor. When viewed from the potential of
existing marine resources, Mandailing Natal district has considerable
potential galore. ( 170 km Long coastline that is perfect for fishing and
tourism. Therefore, in the fight against poverty of coastal communities,
the coastal village development efforts need to be increased through
various development programs aimed at improving the economic and social
welfare.

Problems in Coastal Communities

Coastal communities have a problem of life and the rhythm of a typical
life. Besides faced with harsh natural conditions, coastal communities are
generally dominated by the fishing communities are still struggling in the
economic field problems. Generally, the problems of life in coastal
communities ranging from the business capital of the weak, uncertain income
due to fluctuating catches, weak bargaining position both in terms of
procurement of inputs and sale of output production.

Backwardness of life of coastal communities is also caused by lack of
adequate infrastructure and adequate infrastructure. Weak capacity of
coastal communities or economic organization also affects the welfare of
poor people. Many coastal villages are located off the beaten track so that
development programs do not reach the area, lack of clean water
infrastructure, transportation, information and communication.

In an effort to improve the incomes and welfare of coastal communities the
programming for these activities need to involve the local community, both
in the planning, implementation, monitoring to the evaluation stage. During
this time many development programs that fail because it emphasizes the
physical target regardless of the existence and needs of local communities.
Community involvement in the preparation of the development program is very
important because it will establish a positive attitude towards the program
to be implemented. Another impact of community engagement is the process of
learning, people would come to know, willing and able to give a correct
response to the stimulus of development programs.




PEMP Program

Coastal Community Economic Empowerment Program (PEMP) to be rolled out
nationally by the end of 2001 is an attempt to address the above problems.
Through PEMP coastal communities with container groups have the freedom to
choose, plan and establish the necessary economic activity based on
consensus. Thus people feel ownership and responsibility for the
implementation, monitoring and sustainability.

For Sumatra, PEMP program financed by a reduction in the fuel subsidy funds
through the Department of Marine and Fisheries program will be implemented
in 4 districts / municipalities in fiscal year 2001 the Deli Serdang,
Asahan, Nias and Sibolga. As a new program that will run certainly is in
need of assistance at the district implementation. Help is needed to
coordinate with various agencies / institutions at the district and
implement development activities to economic activities that will be
developed by the community.

In line with the national program PEMP, should Regional Government in
collaboration with the Government of North Sumatra which has the second-
level and coastal communities, to plan, organize and implement the Coastal
Community Economic Development program (PEMP) especially for district /
city that has a beach area quite dominant but not exposed to programs such
as the National PEMP Langkat district, Labuhan Batu, and partly Medan area
was part of the east coast of Sumatra, and Mandailing Natal regency,
Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli most area became part of the west coast
of North Sumatra . This government program will be in line with efforts to
increase revenues through the marine and fisheries in this one through the
instrument of Marine One Roof Unified Administration System (Samsat
Kelautan). It is also relevant given the existence Samsat Kelautan of North
Sumatera lately much disputed, but the purpose of existence, among others
as well as to improve the well-being of coastal communities and the results
will be shared for the Regency / City Government 1.25% and 0.75% of fishing
communities.

Approach of PEMP Program

Implementation PEMP not only the responsibility of government alone, but
need to be supported and involve all stakeholders in the development of
coastal communities such as businesses, universities, NGOs / LPSM and other
concerned parties. Support and involvement is more emphasis on the
operational implementation of PEMP form of socialization and activities and
facilitate the implementation of economic activity that will be developed
by the program participants.

Socialization activities carried out at regional level and the village,
which includes socialization programs for government officials and village
where the implemented activities PEMP and management assistance to agencies
/ institutions involved in activities PEMP. Socialization programs need to
be implemented to create a unified vision and mission and objectives of the
activity because there PEMP new paradigm in the implementation of this PEMP
when compared with similar assistance programs before. Socialization is
also carried out to gain support from the district level to the village
level, and community support activities which will be carried PEMP.

Support and involvement with facilitation in the form of aid / assistance
PEMP management on the implementation of activities such as site selection
program (village and sub-district), the selection of the target group
(participants), the training for program participants as well as the
supervision and guidance of economic programs implemented for program
participants.

Epilog

The economic development of coastal communities should be concerned parties
related to the economic empowerment of the people, not just the
responsibility of government alone but also requires the participation and
support of the whole society.

Repair and improvement of the local economy Sumatra coast will certainly
have a positive impact for regional development in particular and national
development in general, as the number of coastal communities and the
potential for relatively large Sumatra. Instead, its helter-skelter
backwardness and economic community beach / fishing will bring negative
impact on development. Therefore, efforts to repair and improve the economy
of coastal communities should be supported by all levels of society. Of
course we still want to enjoy the results of the coastal areas, and equally
do not want the pleasure we derive is not enjoyable and does not bring
benefits to coastal communities.