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.

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*) 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.