From Sabang to Merauke

Under a shady tree on the grounds of Makassar's Soekarno Hatta port area, 40-year-old Roki, relaxes with his wife Asni and their two-year-old son, Peter. "We have been here for five days," said Roki, who with his family waited for two weeks in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, to catch the first boat to Ambon, their hometown. "If there was a boat going there directly, it would've taken us only a day and a night," said Roki, a small business owner.

According to Anto, a worker at the port, even though President Joko Widodo had announced a maritime highway program, little has changed in Makassar port. Ships still arrive off-schedule.

Tempo

April 21, 2015