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Strengthening Maritime Security Governance in Indonesia: A Policy Transformation of Bakamla Toward a Sea and Coast Guard Model

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DOI: 10.18535/sshj.v9i11.2112· Pages: 9469-9475· Vol. 9, No. 11, (2025)· Published: November 27, 2025
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Abstract

Indonesia’s maritime domain faces increasingly complex security threats, particularly amid the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region marked by the rise of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, smuggling, and jurisdictional violations. These challenges are compounded by institutional fragmentation in maritime law enforcement, where overlapping mandates among multiple agencies have resulted in weak coordination, task duplication, and a fragile Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework. This study analyzes the policy transformation needs of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) toward adopting a sea and coast guard model as a strategic approach to strengthen national maritime security governance. Using a qualitative document analysis, the study examines key legal instruments namely Law No. 32/2014, Law No. 17/2008, and Government Regulation No. 13/2022 that serve as Bakamla’s operational foundations. A comparative analysis of maritime security practices in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore is also conducted to identify relevant lessons. Findings indicate that Bakamla already possesses a strategic mandate for coordination, patrol, and information integration; however, implementation remains constrained by limited interagency integration, inadequate resources, and institutional resistance. The study concludes that transforming Bakamla into a single-agency, multi-task institution is essential to address authority fragmentation and enhance maritime law enforcement effectiveness. Institutional reform can be achieved through regulatory consolidation, establishment of a unified command, development of an Integrated Maritime Information Center (IMIC), and clarification of roles at strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Implementing the sea and coast guard model is expected to enhance cross-sectoral integration and strengthen Indonesia’s capacity to respond to contemporary maritime threats.

Keywords

Artificial IntelligenceHuman-in-the-loopAI-assisted ShortcuttingGenerative AIsAI dependencyAI Literacy

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Author details
John David Nalasakti Sondakh
Hang Tuah University
✉ Corresponding Author
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Masroro Lilik Ekowanti
Hang Tuah University
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Sri Wahyuni
Hang Tuah University
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Sulistiyanto
Hang Tuah University
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