VP Gibran Ensures Fishermen's Village Ready to Replicate in Raja Ampat Visit

RRI.CO.ID, Waisai – Indonesia's Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, inspected the Red and White Fishermen’s Village (KNMP) in Southwest Papua to ensure the program is running well and providing benefits to fishermen. The village, located in Warmasen, Raja Ampat Regency, is one of 65 sites built across Indonesia as part of President Prabowo Subianto's landmark programs.

Gibran reviewed several supporting facilities at the KNMP, which are scheduled to begin operations in May. These facilities include an ice factory, cold storage, docking shelters, and other supporting infrastructure considered crucial for maintaining the quality of fishermen’s catches.

While appreciating the progress achieved, the Vice President acknowledged that there are still some shortcomings that need to be evaluated and addressed promptly. He also encouraged further development, such as the use of solar energy (solar cells) and the establishment of fish processing and canning industries to increase the added value of marine products and prevent waste.

“This is already much better than before, but there is still a lot that needs improvement. We are starting here as a pilot project. If it succeeds, we will replicate it in other regions,” he emphasized, as quoted by the Indonesian Vice Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.

The government, added the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo, will continue to oversee the program through coordination with various parties, including agencies responsible for accelerating development, so that fishermen’s welfare can improve sustainably. He also highlighted the importance of supporting community economic activities, including improving local markets to make them more viable and representative.

The head of the local fishermen’s cooperative, Syafuddin Wailata, said that fish catches in Raja Ampat are very good, but fishermen still lack sufficient boats to go out to sea.

“We fishermen always depend on our catch, sir. The value is high, but many of us still lack boats or vessels. Some have them, others do not,” Syafuddin said.

He also complained about the difficulty of obtaining fuel for boats and expressed hope that a Fishermen’s Fuel Station (SPBN) could be built near the KNMP in Waisai. In response, the Vice President asked Syafuddin to compile a detailed, data-based inventory of the fishermen’s needs, rather than relying on estimates.

“Calculate in detail what the cooperative members need, and we will help. But don’t use estimates. It cannot be approximate—it must be properly calculated,” the Vice President requested.

Gibran's Raja Ampat is part of his larger western Papua visit to review developments and government programs, including the landmark Free Nutritious Meals. He had previously visited theCentral Papuan towns of Nabire and Timika before reaching the tourism regency.