agelaran Sabang Merauke: The Indonesian Broadway a large-scale cultural performance produced locally is set to return to the stage at the Indonesia Arena in the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Central Jakarta by the end of August Presented by telecommunications company iForte and BCA the show will feature more than 600 musicians and dancers combining theatrical elements with traditional and contemporary dance set to modernized traditional music and costumes by renowned fashion designers This year’s production will spotlight the theme “Hikayat Nusantara” (Tales of the Archipelago) a celebration of cherished local folklore passed down through generations across the archipelago the show follows five previous performances over the past three years bringing themes like “Mother Earth” and “Heroes of the Archipelago” said the initiative is part of the company’s commitment to support local culture iForte works closely with local communities when building towers and fiber optic networks "This performance is our way of showing appreciation to local communities the boundaries between nations are increasingly blurred We want to ensure that digitalization has a positive impact so we created this performance to inspire young people to embrace their culture," he said on Tuesday To ensure authenticity while remaining relevant to the younger generation the organizer collaborated with local artists and cultural figures during the research process "These stories are not only interesting but also contain relevant life messages that are worthy of being passed on," executive producer of the Sabang Merauke Performance Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small or large—find what’s most comfortable for you Copyright © Japan International Cooperation Agency Vedro Imanuel Girsang TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslih) of Aceh ensured that the implementation of the repeat voting (PSU) in the city of Sabang He stated that the election supervisors found no irregularities in the process of re-electing the regional head at the polling station (TPS) 02 stated that both his institution and the Election Supervisory Body did not find any fraud or indication of legal violations during the repeat voting process in Sabang "We did not find anything strange because we deployed all members (supervisors) at the entrance of the TPS We did not find any negative reports," said Raju the Constitutional Court ordered a PSU at TPS 02 with details of 540 permanent voter list (DPT) and 1 additional voter list (DPTb) The repeat election participants in the city of Sabang are represented by three pairs of mayoral candidates Sabang is one of six areas holding a PSU today The repeat elections in Banggai were held at 89 TPS 9 TPS each in Taliabu Island and the Talaud Islands "Now the polling stations have been closed The ballot counting will be carried out at the Polling Station Organizer Group level," said Ali He mentioned that the entire PSU process in Sabang was broadcast live on the Aceh Independent Election Commission (KIP) YouTube channel The ballot counting process will also be broadcast live on that YouTube channel We have to be careful in the ballot counting," said Ali The General Election Commission of Indonesia also monitored the PSU process today. KPU Commissioner Iffa Rosita stated that the KPU directly monitored the implementation of the PSU in four areas They faced difficulties in monitoring the repeat elections in the six areas "Some are hindered by limited air transportation due to the ongoing Eid celebration," said Iffa Editor's Choice: KPU Chair: Repeat Voting in 24 Regions Not Entirely KPU's Fault Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News Halal Snack Polemic: Tests by MUI Contradict BPJPH, BPOM Findings on Pork Content Deadly Bus Accident Leaves 12 Dead in Indonesia, Police: Brake Failure Bappenas, FAO Host Training Workshop to Enhance Governance in Indonesia's Agrifood Systems Transformation Hasan Nasbi Cancels Resignation as Indonesia's PCO Head: 'I Am Loyal to the President' Vasectomy for Social Assistance? 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Discover the 10 Best Countries for Job Opportunities Abroad All 133 Cardinal Electors Arrive in Rome Ahead of Papal Conclave Lenovo Set to Launch ThinkPad Aura Edition Series for Professionals in Indonesia World Leaders Condemn Israel's Plan to 'Conquer' Gaza Trump Ends Exemption for Low-Value Chinese Imports Cari English Increasingly, Rohingya Refugee Ships Anchor in Sabang TEKS › English›Increasingly Rohingya Refugee Ships Anchor in Sabang The flow of ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Aceh Province is getting heavier hundreds of refugees landed in Sabang City Audio Berita This article has been translated using AI. See Original Please note that this article was automatically translated using Microsoft Azure AI, Open AI, and Google Translation AI. We cannot ensure that the entire content is translated accurately. If you spot any errors or inconsistencies, contact us at hotline@kompas.id and we'll make every effort to address them TEKS The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Terus Bertambah, Kapal Pengungsi Rohingya Berlabuh di Sabang Rohingya refugees are seen on Ujung Kareung Beach The influx of Rohingya ethnic refugees from Myanmar to Aceh Province is increasingly becoming a dilemma there are emerging waves of rejection from locals KOMPAS - Ethnic Rohingya refugees continue to arrive in Aceh Province The latest arrival was on Tuesday (21/11/2023) at around 23.00 the Rohingya refugees in Bireuen Regency have been relocated to a shelter Aceh Laut Commander/Traditional Sea Institution MIftah Cut Adek said that the boat carrying 219 Rohingya refugees docked at Ujung Kareung Beach the refugees disembarked from the boat and gathered on the beach Also read: Save Rohingya Lives Residents were shocked to see many people on the beach it turned out that these individuals were Rohingya refugees They were in a weakened and dehydrated state Local residents and government officials have provided them with food and drink refugees in Sabang will be relocated to Lhokseumawe joined with the Rohingya refugee group in Bireuen 256 refugees who were previously located in Gandapura District have finally been relocated to a shelter in Lhokseumawe City they were taken to the former Immigration Office in Lhokseumawe The distance from Bireuen to Lhokseumawe is approximately 40 kilometers Rohingya refugees landed in Bireuen on Sunday (19/11/2023) Local residents and government officials built emergency tents on the beach for sheltering the refugees through the Directorate General of Immigration has allowed their former office to be used as a shelter for Rohingya refugees The building has often been used to accommodate Rohingya refugees before Also read: Aceh Residents' Dilemma Facing Thousands of Rohingya Refugees Continue to Arrive In a letter signed by the Director General of Immigration Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement Saffar Muhammad Godam stated that if there are necessary improvements needed for the temporary use of the building it is the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or the International Organization for Migration (IOM) they only provide a three-month period for the use of the building as in 2024 the structure will undergo extensive renovation to be utilized as the Class II TPI Lhokseumawe Immigration Office Saffar mentioned that securing refugees during the use of temporary buildings is the responsibility of the local government and police This is in accordance with Article 32 of Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2016 concerning the Handling of Foreign Refugees the total number of Rohingya refugees in Aceh has reached 1,231 individuals The influx of Rohingya ethnic refugees from Myanmar to Aceh Province is increasing rapidly and causing a dilemma there are emerging waves of rejection from the locals social workers urge the Indonesian Government to accept the Rohingya refugees Rohingya refugees were present on Ujung Kareung Beach The influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Aceh Province is becoming increasingly swift and causing dilemmas waves of rejection from locals are starting to arise stated in a phone interview from Banda Aceh that the Pidie government has placed refugees on the shore of Kulee Village due to opposition from locals towards the presence of the refugees we are localizing on the beach while waiting for policies from the central government," said Wahyudi Also read: Rohingya, an Outcast and Marginalized Ethnicity The Divine Charm of Rubiah, Indonesia's Westernmost Island Indonesian Govt Targets Completion of Patimban Port Construction in Q4 of 2025 Agriculture Minister Sees National Rice Production Reaching 1 Million Tons in April Indonesia's First Batch of 2025 Hajj Pilgrims Departs for the Holy Land Thudong Monks Walk 2,763 Km to Borobudur Temple People's Business Credit Realization Exceeds Rp76 Trillion Four Classrooms at Cimanuk 2 Public Junior High School Severely Damaged Twelve Inactive Railroad Lines in Bandung to Be Reactivated The History and Purpose of World Dance Day Earth Hour Jakarta 2025 The government is preparing 40 hectares for an international airport in Sabang regency “We have prepared 40 hectares in three locations,” said Sabang Mayor Nazaruddin in Sabang on Tuesday as quoted by Antara Nazaruddin said he had discussed the three locations with officials at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister “We hope the central government will develop an international airport in Sabang to support the tourist industry on the westernmost island of the country,” he said The Tourism Ministry’s undersecretary for regional development,  Lokot Ahmad Enda said in Banda Aceh said a new international airport although the island already had Maimun Saleh Airport Sabang will be visited by global airlines that will transport large numbers of tourists,” he added Tourist spots on the island include Weh Island Monument the Zero Kilometer Monument as well as Iboh and Sumur Tiga beaches Antara Petir Garda Bhwana Jakarta - The Monument of Zero Kilometer in Sabang Town has been named the most unique tourism destination at the Indonesian Tourism Award (API) event organized by the Tourism and Creative Economic Ministry our Zero Kilometer Monument area has won the first prize as the most unique tourist destination in Indonesia We will maintain this," Sabang Mayor Nazaruddin stated on Friday evening after receiving the award in Jakarta was named the second most unique destination while Lake Kaolin in Central Bangka District inaugurated the Monument of Zero Kilometer on September 9 as a symbol of Indonesia's unity from Sabang until Merauke located in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua has four pillars epitomizing four towns and islands located in the outermost regions of Indonesia: Sabang in Aceh sharing its maritime border with the Philippines shares maritime borders with Australia and Timor Leste Sabang is located on Weh Island and a popular marine tourism destination It has become a favored place for marine tourism lovers for performing various activities and sunbathing as well as for visiting interesting spots Sabang has been viewed as a tourism icon of Aceh Province situated between the Indian Ocean and Malacca Strait as it is encircled by several small islands 6 Birth Control Methods Covered by BPJS Health: Injections, Vasectomy, IUDs, and More Jennie, Lisa, and Rose BLACKPINK Gather at the Met Gala 2025 KOSTCON 2025, the First Largest K-Drama OST Concert in Jakarta, to Take Place on August 2nd 10 Best Cities to Visit in Japan Besides Tokyo to Add to Your Bucket List 10 Recommended Budget-Friendly Tourist Destinations in the United States What Are the Cheapest Businesses to Start from Home? 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Here Are the Top 12 Destinations Most Tourists in Labuan Bajo Choose Live-On-Board Experience Indonesia Targets 249,000 Arrivals from Middle East in 2025 Thailand Invites Singapore to Join "Six Countries Uzbekistan Launches Golden Visa Scheme to Boost Economy Jakarta's Plan for Cat Island Tourist Spot Underway Why This Japanese City Is Using 'Ninjas' to Encourage Tourists to Follow Local Rules Indonesia's Prabowo Meets Russian Deputy PM in Jakarta to Discuss Bilateral Agreements Blue Origin's NS-31 Mission to Launch 6 Women into Space Labuan Bajo to Ban Use of Plastic Bottled Water “Sabang has the best diving spot with the depth of its sea is more than 30 meters that’s just as good as other locations in the world this is the place,” said Aceh culture and tourism department’s marketing head Ramadhani “The safety standards are based on the international standard and the total prize [of this competition] is up to 200 million rupiahs,” Ramadhani added There are several international athletes taking part in the competition “This is my first competition, alhamdulillah (thank God) everything went well visibility was good and the accompanying team was professional I could descend to 26 meters and got the white card,” said a participant from Malaysia named Radziah Radzi Malaysia I want to see the beauty of Banda Aceh first,” he added The same sentiment was also echoed by another participant from the Netherlands named Darja Tjioe Tjio who has been living in Bali for a year as a diving instructor said that Sabang is just as beautiful as Bali the accommodation here is affordable but the quality is just as good as other places I feel satisfied competing in Sabang,” told Tjioe round 8,000 tourists who boarded seven different cruise ships that traveled through the archipelago have reportedly visited Sabang in Aceh this year “The number keeps on increasing; we are optimistic that Sabang can become a magnet for cruise ships from all over the world,” said Sabang Area Management Body (BPKS) port management unit head Zulkarnaini Abdullah as quoted by tempo.co on Wednesday adding that the visits could help boost the region's economy (Read also: Italian-themed cruise set to provide halal food) “We will continue to do our best so that [the tourists] will feel comfortable in Sabang,” he said The latest cruise that visited Sabang was the UK’s MS Pacific Eden on Aug which consisted of 1,341 passengers and 619 crews BPKS head Fauzi Husin said Sabang was set to welcome an Islamic cruise ship that was hosting at least 2000 passengers and would depart from Singapore at the end of this year The passengers were expected to visit several tourism attractions in Sabang and Banda Aceh Sabang Beach on the western coast of Palawan beckons with dreams of an untouched tropical paradise and the sea shimmers in shades of teal and turquoise deepening to cerulean and cobalt blue as it meets the sky The far end of the beach is bordered by sheer limestone cliffs their somber charcoal gray broken up by pockets of lush green plants Although Sabang is the jump-off point for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (30 minutes away by banca) It’s a perfect example of why the province of Palawan is nicknamed the Philippines’ “last frontier.” While most travelers base themselves in Puerto Princesa City (just 90 minutes away from Sabang) there’s a compelling argument to be made for vacationing on Sabang Beach It’s ideal for those who want a refreshing change from the usual crowded beaches of Boracay And for today’s discerning travelers who enjoy nature and adventure by day but prefer air-conditioned rooms and a comfortable bed at night there’s a Four Points by Sheraton hotel by the beach Four Points by Sheraton is one of the 30-plus hotel brands of the renowned Marriott International group The hotel in Palawan offers the essential amenities that a traveler might seek in a luxury resort All the rooms are just steps from the beach and an ambiance that soothes into instant relaxation after a day of adventuring are signature Four Points by Sheraton Comfort Beds The resort effectively uses its 5.25-hectare property by providing spacious areas for leisure and relaxation Restful lounge areas dot the premises; there’s a 1,367 sq.m and for parents who may need “me time,” the hotel offers Cub’s Club— a playroom with an indoor playground and a safe environment for children to spend a few hours at play Recognizing its unique position of being situated in 22,000 hectares of marine protected area the resort champions sustainability and actively collaborates with the community to support the local economy It has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact The resort is fully powered by solar energy with 30% generated from its own solar panels and the remaining sourced from Sabang Renewable Energy Corporation (SREC) ensuring a sustainable and eco-friendly energy supply The staff’s uniforms come from Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation which teaches women from impoverished areas how to weave.  uses local produce sourced from the resort’s organic garden Guests can book a tour and farm-to-table lunch for a chance to savor truly fresh and organic cuisine Some guests may even opt to do a quick immersion in farm life by trying out plowing a rice field or harvesting vegetables Many leave with a deeper respect for farmers and the relationship between man and nature With the all-important “where can we take you” covered let’s talk about “what to do.” The Four Points Palawan works with community organizations that steward the various eco-tourism sites in the area to organize tours that allow guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and natural beauty The beach adjacent to the resort is a nesting haven for olive ridley and green sea turtles and if a visit is timed just right there’s the chance to watch the eggs hatching The Mangrove Paddleboat Tour is engaging and educational as visitors glide through a 1.2-kilometer stretch of mangrove waterways and community guides share insights about the local ecosystem Keen observers may spot monitor lizards sunning themselves on rocks The Sabang Waterfall is 50 feet high and a 20-minute walk along the beach from the wharf the water crashes into a rock pool on the beach there’s the Puerto Princesa Sabang X Zipline Soaring 150 feet high and stretching 800 meters long it offers breathtaking views of Sabang Beach The limestone rock formation is hollow inside and offers the opportunity for a caving and spelunking adventure a 5-kilometer trek through a limestone karst forest alive with wildlife The best thing about all of these activities is that they’re less than an hour from the Four Points Palawan leaving enough time for sunning on the beach or lounging by the pool Input your search keywords and press Enter The cruise ship Costa Victoria arrived in Aceh on Monday (27/11) to allow its 1,980 passengers to witness Indonesia's biggest sailing event The ship was greeted by traditional dancers upon its arrival at CT-3 Dock They went directly to Banda Aceh to visit the Baiturahman Great Mosque before immediately returning to Sabang," Sabang Tourism Agency head Adi Taufik said on Tuesday The Sabang local government arranged 30 buses to transport the tourists who were all invited to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area Sail Sabang 2017 will coincide with several events including an underwater photography competition at Iboih Beach on Wednesday and a bazaar and freediving championship on Sunday There will also be a fishing competition at Rondo Island over the weekend in addition to cultural festivals  and a fishing boat parade featured several art and cultural performances from the area diversity of culture and modernity to art and cultural performances The Ministry of Tourism has designed a series of events following the carnival Professional puppeteer Wawan Gunawan said that the carnival was set to promote Sail Sabang and Acehnese culture at an international level "This is where the role of the central government is necessary to help promote Aceh's culture so it can become an attraction for foreign tourists," Wawan said The carnival also involved several curators who are all experts in their respective fields This is expected to be an inspiration for the Sabang community to produce more creative and inspiring arts in the future TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sail Sabang the ninth edition of Sail Indonesia series is the largest maritime tourism event to be ever held in this country Gateway of Global Maritime Tourism Destination." President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to inaugurate the event on Dec 2 The inauguration ceremony will be centered at three locations At least 30 activities will be organized during the event with the aim of promoting the tourist destinations in Aceh and nearly three thousand other foreigners are expected to attend the peak ceremony of the international maritime event to be held in Sabang Read also: Preparations Ripe for Sail Sabang 2017 which will be highlighted by the Aceh Travel Mart namely Bima Suci and Dewa Ruci Indonesian warships and MV Lili Marleen along with the Baruna Jaya research ship and other warships The transportation ministry will provide 20 shuttle buses along with four speedboats and four ferries to transport visitors from Ulee Lheu to Sabang The Indonesian Navy will operate four ships and water taxis to serve the Malahayati-Balohan route from Dec 1 to 3 Garuda Airlines will operate additional flights to and from Aceh Province on Nov 29 and from Dec 1 to 3 The Indonesia Tourism Professional Association is ready to hold the Aceh Travel Mart in the cities of Banda Aceh and Sabang from Dec 3 to 6 preparations for the event have reached 95 percent completion Tourism Minister Arief Yahya recently chaired a coordinating meeting on Sail Sabang preparations which was attended by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf and Sabang Mayor Nazaruddin Several of the city`s parks have been renovated as part of the event Yahya lauded the nearly complete preparations for the event "We thank the mayor for making Sabang City pretty and clean," he remarked after inspecting the preparations on Tuesday Jokowi hopes that the economy of the people of Sabang Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan recently saw off 768 participants of the 2017 Nusantara Jaya Expedition They will sail for 28 days and join Sail Sabang international maritime event Sail Sabang is not merely an ordinary maritime tourism event but it is aimed at accelerating developmental program in the region particularly infrastructure and economic development Indonesia has huge maritime tourism potential as the country is the world`s largest archipelago with maritime economic potential worth US$1.33 trillion per year Tourism is currently the second largest means of foreign exchange after oil palm in Indonesia tourism is expected to be the largest foreign exchange earner The government has been intensifying the country`s marine tourism promotion internationally As many as 1,220 hotel rooms in Indonesia`s westernmost Island of Sabang have been fully booked for the event The organizing committee will offer home stays or rented houses for the incoming tourists Sail Sabang is part of the Sail Indonesia series which were earlier organized as Sail Karimata in 2016 This year`s Sail Sabang event will mark the 17th year of Sail Indonesia yacht rally to begin a three-month program of linked events across Indonesia Sail Sabang 2017 in Aceh launched on Friday (09/11) and saw more than 100 yachters participate in the event which was featured in the SEA Yachting Magazine In the latest issue of SEA Yachting Magazine highlighting the beauty of the northwest island off Sumatra "Sail Sabang is Indonesia's national sailing festival held in the north of Sumatra The Indonesian government and the Sabang local government will make a fun Sail Sabang week with a series of activities that can be seen There are at least 28 activities in Sail Sabang 2017 Participating in Sail Sabang is 100 percent free of charge Participants will get access to all events in Sail Sabang including scuba diving and Banda Aceh Tsunami Tour Tourism Minister Arief Yahya hopes Sail Sabang will improve the promotion of Indonesian tourism Sabang has been chosen as one of the leading destinations for marine tourism because of its natural potential and strategic location as every year dozens of international cruise and yacht ships have arrived in the region The Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a new program called Familiarization Trip — Fam Trip for short — to the media in Malaysia and Singapore The ministry has invited journalists and diving operators from both countries to Fam Trip diving expeditions from March 29 to April 4 in Sabang — Indonesia's westernmost city in the island of Weh — and Ambon the capital of Maluku in eastern Indonesia "Ten journalists and diving operators from Malaysia and two from Singapore will go on the trip," Rizki Handayani Mustafa a marketing official from the Ministry of Tourism said Four people will dive in Sabang and the rest dive in Ambon," he added The Singaporean journalists will upload live report on their social media account "They are socmed-savvy and have a reach to a bigger crowd," she said Rizki said the ministry is working on crafting diving tours to Aceh and Ambon whose underwater scenery is still considered some of the best in the world there are at least 20 diving spots popular to both local and overseas visitors They include the German ship Sophie Rickmers' wreckage there are 21 diving spots which stretch from the northern sea of Ambon to Malilana in the eastern side the coral reefs in Ambon also grow naturally showing a colorful spectrum of marine biota The favorite spots for tourists are Batu Lompa "We've organized this Fam Trip to get the journalists to experience Indonesia's underwater beauty first hand and to relay that experience to their readers," Gde Pitana of the Ministry of Tourism said Major dive operators invited to the Fam Trip include Aqua Gems Scuba Symphony and Great Ocean Diver from Malaysia and Scuba Institute and Boxfish Studio LLP from Singapore Singapore's UW360 television program is also attending "We have many diving spots that are often included in the top lists of diving sites in the world This Fam Trip will make people even more aware that we have world-class diving attractions in Sabang and Ambon," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said subsidiary of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will operate additional flights on the Jakarta-Banda Aceh route to accommodate the participants of Sail Sabang 2017 the company said in a statement on Wednesday (22/11) Sail Sabang 2017 will be held in Aceh from Nov The event will be the ninth series of Sail Indonesia "Citilink Indonesia prepares extra flights from Jakarta to Banda Aceh to serve participants and tourists who want to attend the international-scale event," Citilink Indonesia corporate communications vice president Benny Butarbutar said The airline will operate two additional daily flights on the 180-seat Airbus A320 from Jakarta to Banda Aceh we hope to bring more participants to Sail Sabang 2017," Benny said adding that more participants and tourists will positively contribute to the local economy Indonesia expects to receive 20 million tourists by 2020 President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo launched 10 prioritized tourism destinations Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi and Morotai in North Maluku Strategically situated off the northern tip of Sumatra at an entry to the Malacca Strait Indonesia’s Sabang port soon could receive a makeover that might alter the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) Indonesia and India announced in May 2018 that they would set up a task force to “undertake projects for port-related infrastructure in and around” Sabang port Sabang is a town on Weh Island in northern Sumatra India pledged to finance infrastructure improvements India would gain commercial and potentially military access to the port Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs said the port could dock ships and submarines Although the stated purpose of the partnership is to enhance tourism and address issues of the “blue economy,” such as the fishing industry the partnership has an obvious military benefit Access to the port would give India another way to check the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) growing reach in the IOR which has increased through multiple partnerships as part of its so-called String of Pearls strategy India and Indonesia share concerns about the uncertain nature of China’s rise,” retired Indian Navy Commodore Abhay Kumar Singh a research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses said both countries believe the partnership enhances regional security “Both [India and Indonesia] wish to see the development of a multipolar regional order in which they are recognized internationally as regional powers,” he said Singh added that a joint statement issued after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta in May 2018 emphasized that enhanced maritime cooperation can “be a force of immense stability in the region.”  “Both countries consider a bilateral strategic partnership useful in balancing the growth of China’s influence in the region,” Singh said Some experts argue that the port is better suited for military use than commercial development owing to its small size and distance from the core Indonesian hinterland and ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] economic powerhouses is not conducive for long-haul maritime trade,” Angshuman Choudhury a researcher and coordinator for the Southeast Asia Research Programme merely 90 nautical miles below the southernmost tip of India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands gives it a critical strategic advantage of facilitating broader maritime reconnaissance in and around the Andaman Sea during peace time; preemptive blockading of the Malacca Strait during war time; and as a proximate base for additional strategic maneuvering in the eastern IOR flank.” The island already has an operational airport which could be upgraded to accommodate military aircraft Military cooperation is already occurring at Sabang The vessel was welcomed by a ceremony involving traditional Indonesian dancers according to the Business Standard newspaper Countering the PRC’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean isn’t the only benefit of the port partnership Singh pointed out that protecting some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes is paramount The adoption of a shared vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific “reflects the progressive strengthening of maritime cooperation,” he said Sabang “has significant strategic importance due to her location astride Six Degree Channel Three major sea routes of the Indian Ocean originating from or destined to the Cape of Good Hope the Gulf of Aden and Strait of Hormuz converge in the Great Channel,” he said “As a major feeder and outlet of Malacca Strait the Great Channel or Six Degree Channel is crucial for usage of the Malacca Strait by maritime shipping.”  He recounted the history of piracy in the seas around the Aceh province where Sabang is located and said that remains a serious concern The PRC’s maritime presence in the IOR has grown rapidly during the past five years with dual-use port agreements with Burma The String of Pearls strategy in which the PRC established a series of nodes of military and economic power throughout the region could be contested if India receives cooperation from other South and Southeast Asian states New Delhi has made some headway by promoting a nascent framework of strategic convergence in the IOR through interforce coordination naval exercises and real-time intelligence sharing with littoral states,” he wrote New Delhi must not presume that smaller littoral countries would unconditionally back India in an event of confrontation with Beijing in the IOR.” the PRC used economic pressure to gain access to ports in the region the government was economically coerced by the PRC to grant the Chinese government a 99-year lease for control of the Hambantota port when Sri Lanka was unable to pay down Chinese loans for its construction $46 billion in investments and loans to build energy and infrastructure projects as part of its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor assumed ownership of Gwadar Port just northeast of the Strait of Hormuz Although Pakistan’s military said the PRC has not asked for naval access to the deep-water port officials from India and the United States have singled out Gwadar as a possible location for a future Chinese military base China and Pakistan said they plan to turn Gwadar into a transshipment hub and megaport rail links and roads will connect Gwadar to the western regions of China the Chinese government paid special notice to the fledgling agreement between Indonesia and India at Sabang The prospect of military cooperation at the port evoked contentious rhetoric from China’s Global Times newspaper “China has always kept a positive attitude toward India’s overseas port investment in Southeast Asian countries a move that could promote regional economic integration but that doesn’t mean China will turn a blind eye to possible military cooperation between India and Indonesia at Sabang,” the newspaper wrote in May 2018 “China’s heavy use of the Malacca Strait means its economic and energy security is to some extent tied to trade routes across the strait If India really seeks military access to the strategic island of Sabang it might wrongfully entrap itself into a strategic competition with China and eventually burn its own fingers.” That rhetoric is unlikely to shape the decadeslong partnership between India and Indonesia As littoral neighbors who share maritime boundaries in the East Indian Ocean the countries have common interests and security challenges “This provides an ideal environment to enhance the avenues of maritime cooperation between India and Indonesia.” “there was significant convergence of strategic perceptions of the two countries and resultant enhancement in maritime cooperation which now includes regular bilateral exercises cooperation on maritime domain awareness and training exchanges between the two navies,” he said the port would give the Indian Navy a logistics and resupply base to sustain operations in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait It also could “boost the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies and conduct anti-piracy patrols,” asserted an article in The Diplomat whether the mission is humanitarian assistance anti-piracy patrols or protecting shipping lanes forging lasting partnerships with neighbors to enhance maritime security makes strategic sense “Indonesia is an important partner for India due to her strategic geography,” he said “A close partnership between the two navies aims to ensure strategic stability in one of the most important areas of the Indo-Pacific.”   the FORUM staff will only use it to communicate with you We will not share your email address or publish it Only your name and website will appear on your comment and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Indo-Pacific Defense FORUM is a professional military magazine published quarterly by the commander of the U.S Indo-Pacific Command to provide an international forum for military personnel of the Indo-Pacific area The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the policies or points of view of this command or any other agency of the U.S All articles are written by FORUM staff unless otherwise noted The secretary of defense has determined that the publication of this magazine is necessary for conducting public business as required by the Department of Defense Sabang Beach on the western coast of Palawan remains a quiet alternative for travelers seeking an unspoiled tropical retreat the beach is also a gateway to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park While most visitors stay in Puerto Princesa City Sabang Beach offers a quieter setting for those looking to avoid crowded tourist destinations caters to visitors seeking a mix of adventure and comfort featuring a 1,367-square-meter pool with a swim-up bar Located within a 22,000-hectare marine protected area with 30 percent generated from on-site panels and the rest supplied by Sabang Renewable Energy Corp.  Additional measures include a materials recovery facility The resort’s staff uniforms are sourced from the Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation serves dishes made from ingredients grown on-site or supplied by Sheridan Organic Farm Guests can book farm tours and farm-to-table dining experiences Four Points Palawan organizes eco-tourism activities in partnership with local groups The nearby beach serves as a nesting ground for olive ridley and green sea turtles Other attractions include the Mangrove Paddleboat Tour which spans 800 meters and rises 150 feet above the ground Adventure seekers can also visit Ugong Rock a five-kilometer trek through limestone karst forests guests can reserve rooms through the hotel’s website (www.fourpointspalawan.com) email (reservations.palawan@fourpoints.com) © All Rights Reserved. 2025 | Manila Standard | Developed by Neitiviti Studios Pope Francis Meets Refugees After Arrives in Indonesia Over 70 Rohingya Dead or Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Aceh Rohingya Face Rejection in Indonesia After Surge of Boat Arrivals About 400 Rohingya Land in Aceh, Adds To Surge Of Recent Arrivals Jokowi Suspects Human Trafficking Behind Increased Rohingya Arrivals Hundreds of Rohingya Come Ashore in Aceh declined entry to 139 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar on Sunday reached the coastal area of Ie Meulee village in Sabang on Saturday they found themselves stranded on the beach as local residents resisted their arrival preventing them from moving further into residential areas "The community simply cannot accept them I hope authorities will promptly address this matter we will ask them to return to the sea," Village head Doffa Fadhli said While some villagers approached the area and provided basic supplies they did not permit the refugees to enter the village The influx of Rohingya refugees has ignited social tensions among locals already grappling with economic challenges approximately 1,000 Rohingya Muslims arrived on Aceh's coasts in just a week not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention holds no legal obligation to accommodate refugees The Sail Sabang Freediving Competition has introduced new diving spots at Weh Island in Aceh to Sail Sabang 2017 participants the Ministry of Tourism said on Sunday (03/11) including William Trubridge of New Zealand which was held at Balohan Bay on Weh Island between Tuesday and Saturday "Sabang has some of the world's best spots where divers can attempt to break world records as well," said Ramadhani head of marketing at the Aceh Tourism Agency Balohan Bay is more than 130 meters deep, which is a target for divers to break Trubridge's world record of 101 meters in the constant weight without fins category and 124 meters in free immersion where the ocean current is suitable for beginners Aceh Tourism Agency head Reza Pahlev said they will keep developing the diving spots to support marine tourism in the region is working on developing a new marine research station in the Aceh town of Sabang saying it will be the first of its kind for western Indonesia LIPI has earlier focused its marine research in the east having built marine research stations in Lombok “The [research] stations in eastern Indonesia focus on Banda Sea and the Pacific Ocean We have yet to [have a station] facing the Indian Ocean," LIPI head Iskandar Zulkarnin said in Jakarta on Monday "A station in western Indonesia is therefore necessary." The Sabang station is also expected to help the nation explore its marine resources and maritime potentials in line with President Joko Widodo's ambition to turn Indonesia into a global maritime fulcrum oceanography and aquaculture are among the fields of research conducted in the existing stations “We also want the research station in Sabang to be of use to local residents and the local administration [we can help] the people with their need for aquaculture,” Iskandar said “So this is not merely about conservation work,” he added Construction is estimated to cost at least Rp 16 billion ($1.1 million) The new station is expected to begin operations in 2018 and has been proposed to run on an annual research budget of between Rp 3 billion and Rp 4 billion Follow us on Instagram for the most striking images from the very center of life in the air and the land India and Indonesia are set to hold high-level meetings to discuss strategies for boosting the infrastructure of Sabang Port located in the Indonesian province of Aceh This move is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries situated near the entrance to the Malacca Strait is of strategic importance due to its proximity to major shipping routes Strengthening the port infrastructure will not only enhance its operational capabilities but also contribute to the economic growth of the region The high-level meetings between India and Indonesia will focus on exploring potential areas of collaboration and identifying challenges and solutions for the development of the Sabang Port The discussions will encompass various aspects being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world has shown keen interest in investing in strategic international ports to facilitate its growing trade presents an excellent opportunity for India to expand its maritime influence in the region the infrastructure development of Sabang Port aligns with India's "Act East" policy which aims to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asian nations Enhanced connectivity with Sabang Port will facilitate better trade and economic cooperation between India and Indonesia The meetings will explore ways to attract private investments for the development of Sabang Port are expected to participate to discuss potential collaborations This joint endeavor will not only benefit the economic growth of both countries but also foster stronger people-to-people ties The discussions will also focus on sustainable development practices ensuring that the infrastructure projects adhere to environmental norms and do not harm the local ecosystem This aspect holds importance as it aims to strike a balance between development and ecological preservation India and Indonesia have had historically strong relations and this initiative further solidifies their partnership The collaboration to improve the infrastructure of Sabang Port serves as a testament to the commitment of both nations to deepen their economic and trade ties Metro Rail Conference An impressive structure has emerged at remarkable speed in Karlskrona the NKT Tower 3 is the second tallest tower in Scandinavia a 542 HC-L 12/24 Litronic and a 258 HC-L 10/18 Fibre are a key part of this ambitious construction project The tower which is built by Skanska will be an integral part of the world’s largest high-voltage submarine cable factory which will supply wind turbines and solar parks with essential components the NKT Tower 3 is a feat of engineering.Liebherr Tower Crane Center an. The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) concluded its two-day regional forum held on April 29–30 “Empowering the Future Grid: Exploring the Application of Generative AI in GCC Power Systems,” which took place in Kuwait City The event brought together a distinguished group of global technology leaders and EPRI Gulf (Electric Power Research Institute) India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer sees early breakthrough in the research of next-generation zinc-based battery technologies The research targets delivering higher energy efficiency improved safety and longer operational life The company is pioneering emerging zinc battery technology to support the ongoing clean energy transition.Zinc has emerged as a powerful alternative to lithium owing to its abundance While the lithium market continues to face supply constraints and rising costs Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world Don't miss out on valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like minded professionals Construction World (CW) is India’s premier and largest circulated construction business magazine