21-BLUE ECONOMY, MARITIME RESILIENCE, AND A SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY: AN INTEGRATIVE STUDY OF BERHALA ISLAND AS A STRATEGIC DEFENCE POINT

BLUE ECONOMY, MARITIME RESILIENCE,
AND A SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY:
AN INTEGRATIVE STUDY OF BERHALA ISLAND
AS A STRATEGIC DEFENCE POINT

SUSILAWATI, SUTANTO, Adnan MADJID,
Totok Imam SANTOSO*

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Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI: 10.64404/JoDRM.2025.2.21

Issue: Vol. 16, Issue 2 (31) / 2025

Abstract

This study explores the strategic, economic, and symbolic significance of Berhala
Island, a small Indonesian island located near the maritime boundary with Malaysia.
Through a qualitative, document-based approach, the research investigates how outer
islands like Berhala can serve as dual-purpose assets, functioning as both forward
defence outposts and nodes of blue economy development. Drawing from secondary
data sources including government policy documents, marine spatial plans, and
scholarly literature, the study analyses Berhala’s role in maritime surveillance,
its potential to support coastal livelihoods, and its representation as a symbol of
national sovereignty. Findings reveal that Berhala Island embodies an integrative
model where defence, economic development, and symbolic presence intersect. The
study concludes with policy recommendations, including the development of dualuse
infrastructure, the integration of blue economy principles into national defence
doctrine, and the positioning of Berhala Island as a governance model for managing
Indonesia’s outermost islands sustainably and strategically.

Key words:

Blue economy, maritime security, strategic islands, sovereignty,
intersectoral governance.

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