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Government Strengthens Defense in the Natuna Sea

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By: Alfisyah Dianasari )*

The government continues to strengthen defenses in the Natuna Sea. This strengthening is the Government’s firm commitment to maintain sovereignty while at the same time guaranteeing public security.

Indonesia’s sovereignty exists on land, sea and air. So that the guard is not only on land but also in the waters. Moreover, Indonesia is an archipelagic country so there is the potential for friction with other countries, in border areas. Sometimes foreign ships sneak into our waters without permission and violate the marine zone.

One of the vulnerable areas is the Natuna Islands. There the waters are bordered by the South China Sea, so its security must be increased. Do not let foreign ships enter Indonesian waters and steal fish or other treasures under the sea and harm our country.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that the government had made a breakthrough in the Natuna Sea in early 2020. This is because ships belonging to the PRC are very aggressive in entering Indonesian waters. Natuna was also visited not only by the minister, but also by President Jokowi. With tight security, any foreign ship will retreat.

Mahfud MD added that the government had identified any disturbances at the Indonesian border. The most intense is in the western part of the alias Natuna waters. The reason is because there are foreign ships, both flagged and unflagged. So that those who do not have a flag can be said to be wild, because they do not have official permission, and they may even contain a herd of pirates.

The danger of foreign ships entering the Natuna waters and other seas is that they love to steal. The main ones taken are fish, shrimp, and other marine products. The seafood is secretly stolen and then processed in the country, then exported to many other countries (including Indonesia). Of course, it’s really sad if we miss out like this, because Indonesian fish should belong to the Indonesian people.

Apart from illegal fishing, smuggling is also vulnerable. This case is very serious because there could be collusion between Indonesian citizens and foreign parties, who use all means to reach millions of dollars. Whereas smuggling is certainly illegal because it does not pay taxes, customs, and other fees, thus violating the law.

Smuggling can also be linked to a more serious case of human trafficking. It’s sad when there is an illegal boat that crosses the Natuna waters and it turns out to contain women who are usually used as entertainers in other countries. Therefore, safeguards continue to be tightened so that there is no smuggling or human trafficking.

The next case that is prone to occur in the waters is the presence of spies. They can steal Indonesian data and misuse it, so action must be taken. Do not let any illegal or flagged vessels enter without permission into the Natuna waters and just wander off.

To overcome these cases, apart from increasing the number of Indonesian Navy troops, there is also coordination with stakeholders in the maritime sector. So that if a foreign ship violates Indonesian terrorism or even dares to pass without a flag, they can be sanctioned so that they give up. For example, by shooting or drowning, such as punishment during the previous period of the minister of maritime affairs.

The defense in Natuna waters must be tightened, because the area is very vulnerable to being crossed by foreign ships, both from China and other countries. The ships, even though they are flagged, are still not allowed to pass if they don’t have official permission. The reason is because there is a possibility that they will steal fish, smuggle, or do other negative things.

)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students

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