By: Dodik Prasetyo )*
The entry of the Chinese Ship into the Natuna Islands some time ago triggered the Government’s firm stand. Long before, President Jokowi had taken a number of strategic steps to maintain Natuna Waters as the Indonesian veranda.
Even though Mrs. Susi does not currently hold the position of Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Government continues to emphasize that Indonesia will keep Indonesia’s waters twice as tight. There was even an effort to make this island a Province. This follows the news that Chinese fishing vessels carelessly fish in the Natuna islands. Islands which are famous for their abundant sea products often make foreign ships tempted.
According to former Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, defense activities in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, were increasingly enhanced during the two years of Joko Widodo’s and Jusuf Kalla’s governments. This happened because of the mobilization of troops and defense equipment to the area. This first effort specifically tasked the Indonesian Army with a Raider battalion in Natuna. In the meantime, each will be deployed by a company of elite AU troops of the Special Forces Corps (Korpaskhas) along with elite troops of the Navy. He added there would be three Sea Reader ships ready to chase at sea.
The Second Effort is that the presence of fighter and commercial aircraft runways and other defense devices will also be placed there. At present, only runways and fighter planes can be operated. Meanwhile, marine and air radar devices and new drones will be held sometime in the future. He said, what happened in the South China Sea could be seen, if anyone entered it could be immediately pursued.
In addition, the government also plans to build a port and expand road access in the Natuna region. This was done in order to accelerate economic growth in one of the outermost districts in the archipelago. He likened that Natuna was the front door. So that requires safeguards, even though there is no conflict in the South China Sea, safeguards must still be optimized.
Previously, Chinese ships were said to be still milling about in the waters of northern Natuna, Riau Islands (Riau Islands). Deputy Natuna Regent Ngesti Yuni Suprapti expressed full support of the government’s follow-up measures while at the same time encouraging regional strengthening to face the undermining of the Chinese state.
Ngesti even hopes that Natuna Regency can become a special province. The status of the province is said to be able to expand its authority in handling maritime affairs including dealing with territorial breakthroughs such as Chinese coast guard vessels.
Natuna Vice Regent’s statement refers to Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, which states that the district / city government does not have authority over sea waters. Thus, it continues to fully support what the TNI is doing to protect the North Natuna Sea from fish theft by Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian fishermen.
Regarding the breakthrough of foreign vessels in the Republic of Indonesia, Ngesti said Chinese ships were still struggling in the waters of the North Natuna sea. Some anticipations of supervision are now tightened by the TNI. Ngesti also mentioned that the team from the Joint Regional Defense Command II (Kogabwilhan II) had conducted a direct inspection into the North Natuna sea waters. Including joint patrols in the Republic of Indonesia boundaries was also carried out.
Indonesia has in fact already asserted China’s claims to conflict with legitimate international law. However, China seems to remain determined if the Natuna Sea waters are part of the country.
Indonesia’s position is considered stronger because it rests on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, an international tribunal on the South China Sea stated regarding the claim of the 9 Dotted Lines as the territorial boundary of the Bamboo Curtain Country which has no historical basis. But China is still determined.
Meanwhile, the Palace ensured President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) acted firmly to respond to China’s claims in the Natuna Sea waters. Efforts to handle Chinese claims in Natuna are carried out by peaceful diplomacy. Fadjroel as the Presidential Spokesperson then quoted Jokowi’s statement about the attitude related to China’s claim on the Natuna islands. Namely, There is no compromise in maintaining Indonesia’s sovereignty, stressed President Jokowi!
The Indonesian government’s firmness in handling this case is appropriate. Considering there is a legal basis that is valid and recognized by the international community. China could be a qualified partner in investment but, the matter of sovereignty is a fixed price!
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Institution (LSISI)