GOVT ASKED TO RESOLVE ISSUE OF OUTSOURCING WORKERS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 29 (Antara) - Indonesia's outsourced workers, who fought for their aspirations during the term of the previous government, hope that the new administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo helps to improve their uncertain fate.          Activists and lawmakers also voice the aspirations of these workers, urging President Jokowi and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Rini Soemarno to resolve the issue.          Thousands of workers are employed for years under the outsourcing system at SOEs, wherein they worked based on contracts for a certain period without official appointments.         "The issue of outsourcing workers for state-owned companies has been prevalent for nearly two years, but it has yet to be resolved, despite the fact that all conditions for the implementation of the system recommended by the SOE minister have been met," Ribka Tjiptaning, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), said in a press statement on Saturday.         Tjiptaning urged President Jokowi to resolve the problem.         The same call was earlier voiced by activist Poempida Hidayatulloh, chairman of the People's Welfare Organization (Orkestra). He stated that SOE Minister Rini Soemarno should resolve the problem related to the system of outsourcing workers, which employs them and leaves them with an uncertain future.

INDONESIA EXPECTED TO BOOST DOMESTIC INVESTMENTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 28 (Antara) - The Joko Widodo government is expected to reduce Indonesia's foreign capital dependence and boost domestic investments, which last year accounted for only about 30 percent of the country's total investments.          Businesspersons and economic observers view that to reduce the country's foreign capital dependence, the government should increase domestic investments, particularly in upstream areas where local industries will produce raw materials and thus raw material imports can be reduced.          They have pinned their hopes on Franky Sibarani who has been named chief of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) by President Jokowi. Franky has succeeded Mahendra Siregar who resigned when the term of office of the United Indonesia Cabinet II ended.

GOLKAR WARNED OF SPLIT IF CONFLICT ESCALATES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 27 (Antara) - A political observer warned on Thursday that the internal conflict within the Golkar Party could create a breakaway faction if it continued to escalate.          "If Golkar does not act wisely and accommodate its cadres' aspirations in the run-up to its congress, it will be abandoned by them," political observer Ahmad Atang of the University of Muhammadiyah in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, said on Thursday.          The current rift within the Golkar Party, which is the second largest seat holder in the legislature, will most likely create a breakaway faction. It will lead to the formation of a new political party after its national congress in Bali on November 30, Atang stated.          "The new party will most likely be set up by cadres who felt sidelined, a similar scenario that took place in the cases of Surya Paloh, Wiranto, and Prabowo Subianto," he added.          The central executive board meeting of the Golkar Party early this week was marred by clashes, following the emergence of two camps that had a difference of opinion regarding the date of the next congress.          While one camp agreed to the decision taken at a Golkar leadership meeting in Riau to hold the congress in January 2015, the other demanded that the meeting be held on November 30, as discussed at a leadership meeting in Yoyakarta.

GOVERNMENT TO CURB INFLATION CAUSED BY FUEL PRICE HIKE

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 27 (Antara) - The government and the country's central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI) will take all necessary steps to ensure that the inflation rate stays between 7.3 and 7.7 percent after the recent hike in subsidized fuel prices.          "We forecast that the inflation rate will hover between 7.7 and 8.1 percent. Of course, we are doing our best to achieve an inflation rate of 7.7 percent," BI Governor Agus Martowardojo stated on Wednesday.          The BI governor has forecast that the inflation rate in November will soar as a result of the hike in the prices of subsidized fuels, and in December, it will increase by 2.0 percent.          The BI's inflation estimate of 7.7-8.1 percent in 2014 is higher than the government's projection of 7.3 percent as the subsidized fuel price hikes are expected to contribute 2.4-2.8 percent to the inflation rate.          Some 1.3 percent of the estimated 2.6 percent is a direct contribution due to the increase in the prices of subsidized fuel oils, while some 0.7 percent is an indirect contribution in the form of increased transportation cost and 0.6 percent is a result of the food, services, and goods price hikes, he stated.          Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro is content with the government's efforts to curb the inflation rate at 7.3 percent, in spite of the several higher projections.          "In essence, we are resolved to control inflation, so that it would be in the range between 7.3 percent and 7.5 percent at the end of the year," the finance minister noted.          He explained that while making the projection, the government has taken into account the impact of fuel oil price hikes, which are expected to contribute 2.0 percent to the inflation. It has also taken into consideration the inflation assumption set in the revised 2014 state budget at 5.3 percent.

EFFORTS TO FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKING SHOULD BE INTENSIFIED

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 26 (Antara) -- Trafficking of narcotics in the country has turned into a very serious and dangerous problem as it has entered strategic institutions, including universities, which determine the quality and future of the nation.          At least three universities have been involved so far: In March, a lecturer of the University of North Sumatra (USU) was arrested for being in possession of narcotics. In August, police nabbed an alumnus of the National University of Jakarta (Unas) for distributing narcotics to users in the campus. Soon after, they conducted several searches and found drugs in the campus once again.          Moreover, the public were surprised when police arrested a faculty of law professor, who is also an assistant rector, of the Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, some two weeks ago.          The professor was apprehended on charges of consuming methamphetamine with two female students in a hotel room.          Chairman of the Anti-Narcotics Movement Center of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas expressed concern over the involvement of the professor in the narcotics case.

GOLKAR SHOULD DEMONSTRATE MATURITY IN RESOLVING INTERNAL RIFT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 26 (Antara) - As one of the oldest political parties and former political machine of the New Order Government, Golkar should demonstrate a mature outlook in dealing with internal issues and resolving internal conflict.          "Friends in Golkar are all mature cadres. They should not quarrel. Internal issues should be settled democratically. Neither side should exert pressure on the other," Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also a former general chairman of the Golkar Party, stated here on Tuesday in response to the internal squabbles over differences of opinions related to the holding of a congress to elect a general chairman.           Members of the youth wing of Golkar (AMPG) stormed into a Golkar Party central executive board meeting in Jakarta on Monday evening to protest against the meeting's attempt to re-schedule its congress from the previously planned January 2015 to the end of this month. The congress will be held to choose a new leader after the incumbent Aburizal Bakri, who seeks re-election, completes his term of office.           Clashes erupted again on Tuesday between the members of two camps of the party at its office in Jalan Anggrek Neli Murni, West Jakarta.           The conflict broke out after the Golkar central executive board plenary meeting chaired by Golkar Deputy General Chairman Theo L. Sambuaga decided that the congress would be held on November 30, 2014.

GOVT RESOLVED TO MEET TAX REVENUE TARGET

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 25 (Antara) -- In the last decade, the Indonesian government always failed to achieve its tax revenue targets, except for in 2004 and 2008, and it is unlikely to be able to do so this year as well.          Of the Rp1,246.1 trillion tax target set in the revised 2014 state budget, only some Rp812 trillion has been collected till mid-November, which is about 65 percent of the amount. Also, the annual growth trend of the government's tax target is only 10 to 20 percent.          The realization of its tax receipts has always been less than the target set in the state budget. Given this fact, the government is resolved to achieve its tax target for 2015, which is projected at Rp1,370.8 trillion.          According to Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, the government will put in all efforts to boost tax revenues to Rp1,400 trillion in 2015.         "Certain factors must be improved to reinforce the directorate general of taxation. We will see whether it can be done next year," the finance minister said on Friday.          He stated that a measure that could be taken is increasing the number of tax officers because so far, a shortage of these officials has hampered the efforts to optimize tax collection.

JAKARTA INTENSIFIES FLOOD-FIGHTING EFFORTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 25 (Antara) - Last week's floods that forced the evacuation of over 17,500 people in Jakarta could just be the beginning of a series of floods that might hit the capital city this rainy season, just like every year.          "It has been predicted that more floods will hit Jakarta because the city and its surrounding areas are still receiving heavy rainfall," Endang Achdiat, the head of the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), said on Monday.          As the threat of another flood looms over Jakarta due to the unrelenting rains that continue to hit the capital city, Endang expressed hope that residents in low-lying areas would remain alert.          Earlier, the Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, urged all staff members to accurately anticipate floods in several areas of the city.          "I have asked them, especially Jakarta's Department of Public Works, to analyze and survey community units that are prone to flooding," he noted.          According to Purnama, floods can be handled properly and anticipated well in time through analysis and data collection.          "If we are already aware of areas prone to flooding, we can quickly anticipate them and distribute aid," he affirmed.

LEGISLATORS PROCEED WITH ATTEMPT TO QUESTION PRESIDENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 24 (Antara) -- The government's decision to raise the prices of subsidized fuels when the world crude price is on the decline has led to certain legislators deciding to use the parliamentary interpellation right to question the president.          The government hopes that raising subsidized fuel prices will help reduce energy subsidy, which burdens the state budget, by some Rp100 trillion, funds that it can divert to finance the development of the sectors of infrastructure, health, education, and other productive ones.          However, legislators and many other quarters questioned the policy as the government implemented it during a time when world crude prices were declining.          On November 17, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced the increase in the price of premium gasoline to Rp8.5 thousand per liter from Rp6.5 thousand and that of automotive diesel oil to Rp7.5 thousand per liter from Rp5.5 thousand.

INDONESIA SHOULD FURTHER INCREASE FISH CONSUMPTION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 24 (Antara) - Despite 70 percent of Indonesia's 5.2 million-square-kilometer area being covered by water and having abundant fish stocks, yet it is unable to fully and sustainably exploit its sea wealth and has low fish consumption.        Thus, the government is encouraging the people to eat more fish, which is rich in protein and nutrition and is considered to help in brain development.          "Therefore, we have the slogan: 'Eat Fish for Building Intelligence, Health, and Strength.' The growth of brain cells is supported by protein, which comes from different sources such as fish. Fish contains Omega3 for brain growth," Director General for Processing and Marketing of Fisheries Products of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Saut Hutagalung stated in Jambi Province over the weekend.          Saut, who was attending the "Foreikan Jamboree" held in Jambi to observe the National Fish Day, said that human brain cells need high supply of protein, particularly newly born infants. The development of brain cells can be boosted by consuming fish.          Unfortunately, Indonesian people still consume less fish. The per capita fish consumption of Indonesian people per year is still about 38 kilograms, which is much smaller as compared to the average fish consumption of the Japanese, which reaches 50 kilograms.

PERTAMINA EXPECTED TO TAKE OVER MAHAKAM BLOCK

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 23 (Antara) - State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina is expected to take over the operation of the Mahakam oil and gas block after its contract with operator Total E&P Indonesie expires in 2017.          The Mahakam block in Kalimantan is jointly owned by two foreign oil giants, Total E&P Indonesie of France and  Inpex Corporation of Japan each with a 50 percent split.  Total  is the operator.          In the runup to the end of the work contract, many have suggested that Pertamina should take over the Mahakam Block. Total and Inpex have exploited the oil and gas field for 50 years and contributed about one-third to the country's total gas production.          The gas field should be handed over to state oil and gas company Pertamina to increase the country's oil production and reserves after the subsidized oil fuel price hikes, the Association of Holders of Cooperation Contracts (AK3S) said on Friday.          AK3S chairman Tri Haryadi said after raising the subsidized fuel prices, the government should hand over the Mahakam block to Pertamina.          Pertamina, with support from the country's legislators and observers, has indicated interest in the takeover.          The French multinational company was awarded the work contract for the Mahakam Block in 1967 for a period of 30 years. In 1997, Total got a contract extension for 20 years, until March 31, 2017.

SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DEVELOPMENT ON THE RISE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 22 (Antara) -- Several years ago, local people, non-governmental organizations, and environmentalists were opposed to a government plan to build a nuclear power plant (PLTN) at the foot of Mount Muria in the northeastern coast of Central Java.          This public opposition forced the government to look at other places, including Bangka Belitung.          Interestingly, support for the development of a PLTN has been increasing recently, with the country falling short of electricity supply.          According to the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), most Indonesians agreed to the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.          "BATAN carried out a survey, the results of which showed that 70 percent of the people want to utilize the country's nuclear energy potential for national development," the chief of the agency, Djarot Sulistio Wisnubroto, said in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on Thursday.      The most recent support was voiced on Saturday by a number of youths of the Nuclear Youth Communities (Kommun).          "We support the government's plan to develop PLTNs soon," Chairman of the Kommun Said Mobbarak stated at a press conference on the occasion of a Nuclear Youth Summit (NYS) in Jakarta on Saturday.

'MAGIC CARDS' PROGRAM CAN GET FUNDING FROM STATE FIRMS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 21 (Antara) - The 'magic cards' program aimed at improving poor people's purchasing power, education and health services can be funded by state companies (BUMN) through their Partnership and Environmental Program (PKBL), according to an academic.          "The government can use the PKBL funds of state-owned enterprises, but not their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds," Maria R Nindita Rayati, director of the MM CSR of the University of Trisakti, said on Thursday.          The government has launched what it calls a 'magic cards' program, comprising the Indonesia Health Card (KIS), Family Welfare Card (KKS), and Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) for the poor. However, many quarters, including politicians, have questioned the legal basis of the program's funding.         Minister/State Secretary Pratikno has stated that the government will use the BUMN's CSR funds to finance the KIS, KIP, and KKS schemes, and will not touch the state budget for the purpose, so it does not require the approval of Parliament.

DISCONTENT MOUNTING OVER FUEL PRICE HIKE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 18 (Antara) - Although some quarters support the government's decision to raise subsidized fuel prices, some others reject it.          According to the opposing parties, it will impose hardships on people, lead to a hike in the prices of other goods, weaken people's purchasing power, and violate their trust.          Rejections of the government's move to raise fuel oil prices were voiced by mass organizations, laborers, legislators, and many other quarters across the country.          The mass organizations included the youth wing of the Muhammadiyah Islamic Organization, and the Hizbut Tahrir Muslim Association, while the legislators comprise those of the factions of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Golkar Party in House of Representatives (DPR).      Among workers voicing their discontent are laborers grouped in the Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions (KSPI).          On Monday night (November 17), President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced the increase in the price of premium gasoline to Rp8.5 thousand per liter from Rp6.5 thousand and that of automotive diesel oil to Rp7.5 thousand per liter from Rp5.5 thousand.

GOVT OFFERED FUEL PRICE HIKE OPTIONS

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 17 (Antara) - As it might affect 29 million poor people and 70 million others who are vulnerable to poverty, the government's plan to raise the price of subsidized fuels has received various suggestions from the public.          Many quarters have predicted that raising the price of fuel, which is part of the government's efforts to lift fuel subsidy, will boost inflation rate and, in turn, affect the purchasing power of people in the lower-income bracket and those categorized as nearly poor.          While some observers suggested that the government should postpone the plan until January 2015, others asked it not to hike the price of fuel for motorcycles. Some even suggested that the plan be dropped altogether.

INDONESIA BRACES FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 15 (Antara) - Indonesia, a country prone to natural disasters such as landslides and floods during the rainy season, is now bracing itself to face potential disasters.          A number of disaster mitigation agencies, including the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as well as other societal organizations and volunteers, are all prepared to face the rainy season that has begun to arrive.          The BNPB has instructed its fast-reaction task forces to be on high alert and get ready to handle disasters.          "The BNPB head, Syamsul Maarif, has issued the instruction to put its fast-reaction task forces on high alert. We have deployed them in several regions and in the capital city of Jakarta," BNPB's Head of Public Relations, Information and Data Center, Sutopo Purwo Nogroho, said here on Saturday.          He added that besides preparing the fast-reaction task forces, the agency also prepared logistics and airplanes. It is collecting data on development of disasters taking place across Indonesia, as well.          "We are always on the alert and continue to monitor mishaps and disasters. We will certainly report every single disaster that occurs," Nogroho said.

ORGANIZATIONS REJECT IDEA TO SCRAP RELIGIOUS IDENTITY ON ID CARDS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 13 (Antara) - The government's idea to leave the religion column blank on identity (ID) cards has been rejected by several people, particularly Muslim organizations, alleging that it contradicts the state philosophy of Pancasila.         The latest objection was voiced by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), which argued that the religion column on ID cards should not be left blank as it holds significance for the nation and state.         "We have decided to reject the idea to scrap the religion column on ID cards," Umar Shihab, the chairman for MUI's Islamic Solidarity Affairs, stated here on Thursday.         The idea to scrap or mention other religions on the ID column has the potential to harm the interests of the nation and state because it could trigger polemics, he affirmed.          Umar proposed that the existing law on the issue should be implemented.          "The law is already relevant, acceptable, and based on aspirations. So, it must be implemented. This is an outlook adopted by Indonesian Muslims with regard to this issue," Umar noted.          MUI Deputy Chairman Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that mentioning a person's religion on his or her ID card constituted a personal identity, which is protected by Law No. 24/2013.          Based on Law No. 24/2013 on Population Administration, the religions recognized by the government in Indonesia are Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Konghucu (Confucianism).

NEW GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE FOREST PLANTATION PROGRAM

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 13 (Antara) - The new government under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will carry forward its predecessor's tree planting program in a bid to maintain sustainable forest development and preserve the environment.          The forests, which play a key role in preserving ground water and absorbing carbon dioxide, should be protected, and the deforested areas must be rehabilitated.          The government, therefore, must continue its program to plant billions of trees. The program had been launched by the forestry ministry in the past.          As part of its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent in 2020, the previous government had, since 2007, launched a tree planting drive to rehabilitate its damaged forests, green its denuded lands, and provide homes to billions of tons of carbon sinks.          Under the previous government, Indonesia has designated 37.5 million hectares of its 130 million hectares of forests as homes for carbon sinks as part of its emission reduction project through the global Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD) scheme.

INDONESIA WANTS CONCRETE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 9 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo who arrived in Beijing on Saturday for an APEC summit held talks on Sunday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang and observed China's integrated Tianjin seaport and power plant.          During the meeting with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Joko Widodo who is popularly called Jokowi, said Indonesia expected relations with China to be mutually beneficial.          Indonesia also wants its comprehensive strategic partnership with China to be more concrete and implemented for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.         "Indonesia and China already have relations for hundreds of years. This is an asset for the two countries to build a comprehensive strategic partnership. Ahead, I want this comprehensive strategic partnership to become more concrete," Joko Widodo said when he had talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Sunday.

GOVT TO DIVERT FUEL SUBSIDY TO PRODUCTIVE SECTORS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 8 (Antara) -- The government has decided to reallocate some Rp330 trillion of energy subsidy to productive sectors that will benefit the people and will also raise the prices of subsidized fuels this month.          "We want to divert subsidy for fuel to subsidies for fertilizers, seeds, infrastructure and irrigation for the benefit of farmers," President Joko Widodo stated while opening a national coordination meeting of his working cabinet last Tuesday.          This move has confirmed that the price of subsidized fuel will be increased in November, although the exact hike has yet to be finalized.          President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, also said that he was ready to become unpopular for raising the prices of subsidized fuel in the interest of the people.          "Some say I will become unpopular (if I make this decision). I told them that I did not become a leader to seek popularity. A leader has responsibilities and every decision he makes carries a risk," he remarked at the opening of a national meeting of the alumni of Yogyakarta-based state Gadjah Mada University in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Thursday.

GOVT VOWS TO ACHIEVE FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 8 (Antara) - The new Indonesian government under Joko Widodo, who was sworn in as Indonesia's seventh president last month, has vowed to meet it targets for food self-sufficiency by improving the infrastructure of the food sector.          "Within three years we must be self-sufficient in food and stop imports," Jokowi, as the president is popularly called, said after participating in a rice harvest in Barang Palier in the district of Pinrang, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday.          The President tried his hand at harvesting rice on some 2,500 hectares of rice fields during his visit to the village.          He earlier visited Sidrap District in the same province to officiate at the opening of an irrigation network in Mojong Bendoro village.  The network is capable of irrigating 12,000 hectares of rice fields.          "The President inaugurated the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. The irrigation project has a width of six meters and a length of 2.2 km," Hnizon, a local irrigation official, said.

HAZE RESURFACES ACROSS KALIMANTAN, SUMATRA

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 4 (Antara) - Haze emanating from forest fires and hotspots continues to shroud various parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra, hindering the day-to-day activities of the local residents and flight schedules.          On Tuesday, thick smog blanketed Syamsudin Noor Airport of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, leading to delays of five flights to Balikpapan, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta.          "Five flights were delayed for about 30 minutes to an hour from their scheduled departure time," Airport Service Section Head of PT Angkasa Pura I airport operator Heru Widiatmo stated in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Tuesday.          The haze also covered regions in Jambi and South Sumatra and disrupted flights from Palembang on Monday.          According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the smoke arising from hotspots still engulfed various regions in Indonesia, such as South Sumatra and Kalimantan.          Based on satellite data on Monday, South Sumatra still had 37 hotspots, Central Kalimantan (125), South Kalimantan (29), and East Kalimantan (20).          "It seems that the annual land and forest fires have not yet served as a lesson for the people to fully prevent the disaster," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the head of the Information Center and Public Relations of BNPB, affirmed on Monday.

NEW MINISTER VOWS TO CRACK DOWN UPON ILLEGAL FISHING

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Nov 3 (Antara) -  Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has vowed to step up efforts to curb illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, which has caused losses worth trillions of rupiah to the state and disadvantaged traditional fishermen.          The minister stated that foreign vessels have continued to conduct illegal fishing activities in Indonesian maritime territories such as in the waters of Maluku, Sumatra, and the Indian Ocean. She expressed regret on the rampant illegal fishing practices occurring in Indonesian waters and called on Indonesian fishing businesses to become more self-reliant.          "Do you not want to become independent in your own waters? Why should any foreigner take advantage of it (Indonesia's sea resources)," she noted on Sunday.         She had previously pledged to take action against those involved in illegal fishing practices in Indonesian waters. The minister expressed her commitment to crack down upon illegal fishing activities as it harmed the interests and reduced the income of the state.