JAKARTA – The acting governor of Kepulauan Bangka Belitung (Babel) Sugito handed over a traditional ship miniature of Babel to Marine Museum Jakarta on Thursday (10/4/2025).
“I handed it over to remind us that our ancestors were truly sailors. I hope this cooperation can bring benefit to develop the regions,” he said.
“This miniature has a deep meaning. It is not merely transportation or a tool to earn a living for coastal dwellers, but it is also a local identity and cultural inheritance. It is proof of marine local wisdom in living a harmonious life with nature,” added Sugito.
He wanted to contribute to promoting community-based marine tourism and local wisdom. According to him, Babel was not only about beautiful beaches and exotic islands, it also had a long marine history including boat making, rites, culinary and customary systems in sea management.
“We believe that good marine tourism does not only sell panorama, but it also offers stories and values behind it. The effort to preserve local artifacts like the miniature in the marine museum is to promote the marine richness of Indonesia,” he explained.
He hoped that the miniature would introduce the marine local wisdom of Bangka Belitung to the people.
“I hope it will encourage the young generation to love, protect and develop the inheritance in the frame of creative economy and sustainable tourism,” he hoped.
He wanted to encourage the promotion based on marine richness and local culture and collaborate it with local wisdom and the active role of the society. It was to introduce local culture to the visitors and to ask them to experience coastal living and finally to support the local economy.
“The inclusive marine economy approach, in which local people become the main actors, will strengthen the local economy. People who live in prosperity are capable of managing marine sources wiser. They will keep the continuity of the ecosystem and not merely exploit it,” he said.
He said further that it was a strategic step to strengthen Babel’s tourism branding as a unique cultural marine destination which also empowered the local community.
“Let’s collaborate in developing Babel marine tourism as a motor in regional sustainable development which not only brings economic benefit but also strengthens identity, preserves nature, and increases the status of our coastal dwellers,” he said. (Lisia Ayu)
Serahkan Miniatur Kapal Tradisional Babel, Pj. Gubernur Sugito: Ini Warisan Budaya Identitas Lokal
