By: Ahsan Zoelfa *)
Jakarta, CIDISS – The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia, Susi Pudjiastuti has sent the caveat diplomatically to the Chinese government. The reason is that the Chinese government is being considered trying to obstruct the law enforcement government of Indonesia on illegal practices, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Natuna waters.
The incident began when the surveillance vessels of Indonesia, KP Hiu 11 detected there was activity from China’s ship, KM Kway Fey 10078 in the territorial of Natuna waters illegally. Then, in the evening, KP Hiu 11 tried to catch KM Kway Fey to be dismissed, but the foreign ship did not stop. KP Hiu 11 gave the warning shots which was followed by the collisions between KP Hiu 11 and KM Kway Fey. When the collisions happened, 3 Personnel of KP Hiu 11 jumped to KM Kway Fey and has managed to knock out eight crew KM Kway Fey.
The crew were then transferred to KP Hiu 11. Then KM Kway Fey was taken over by KP Hiu 11 to be used as an evidence. However, on their way, China’s coast guard ship suddenly came and was chasing the Fleet. The China’s coast guard Ship was crashed the KM Kway Fey and caused damage. To avoid the occurrence of incident, KP Hiu 11 decided to leave KM Kway Fey, but still brought 8 crew were arrested to be prosecuted in Indonesia
Hearing the chronology, the Minister Susi was furious. The measures of the Chinese government are considered by the minister Susi as an arrogant action, so it is worth to get a strong protest with a diplomatic note, in other words, the protest from Ministry Susi was a fair thing. Because in this case was not only the” stole-steal” problem, but also more than that. This problem has been crept into the realm of national sovereignty. Because if it keep repeated, it will create the impression as if the government of Indonesia did not have sovereignty on the its own waters.
Related to this problem, the strong protest of Minister Susi against Chinese government this time need to receive full support from all levels of government, especially from President Jokowi himself and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The President Jokowi need not to worry that the protest of Minister Susi will worsen the relations between Indonesia and China. Indonesia is an important partner of China, so that China will not be arbitrarily lowered the quality of relations between two States, because of the protest of Ministry Susi. Moreover, it is clear that in this case the Chinese government is guilty.
On the other hand, the people of Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke also do not want the sovereignty of the NKRI constantly being undermined in its own waters. In fact, if the relationship between Indonesia and China should deteriorate due to the protests of the Minister Susi, the majority of Indonesian people definitely prefer such thing to if we must look at the waters of Indonesia is being controlled by other State. In other words, the Government needs to be firmly related to the protest that has been filed by the Minister Susi, while still prioritizing diplomacy as the main weapon. At any rate, the relationship with China is important to be maintained, but assert sovereignty is a priority above everything. [AZ]
*) CIDISS Contributor