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

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 dual-use 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.