The Government is Ready to Maintain Sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia in Natuna
By: Rebecca Marian )*
Decisive steps by President Jokowi who are uncompromising in maintaining Natuna deserve a thumbs up. Various efforts have also been made ranging from the addition of military fleets to peaceful diplomacy to drive foreign ships from the waters of the Republic of Indonesia.
The spirit of Nationalism President Joko Widodo in his efforts to defend Natuna from China deserves to be emulated. China’s claim on Natuna must be dealt with firmly. No matter the country the bamboo curtain is a qualified investment partner. If it concerns sovereignty, then there is no compromise. As the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi said, distinguish thieves from investments! This is true, even though she no longer holds the position, Mrs. Susi admitted that she was indignant at the treatment of China as long as it carried out illegal fishing activities in Natuna waters.
In accordance with the direction of the President, the Indonesian government has been firm and prioritized peaceful diplomatic efforts in dealing with conflicts in Natuna waters. This was stated by the President’s spokesperson, Fadjroel Rachman.
In line with Jokowi, Defense Minister (Defense) Prabowo Subianto took a stance in following up on the Natuna claim case by China with a peaceful approach. This peaceful path is referred to as a principle of defense.
Special Staff for Public Communication and Inter-Institutional Relations of the Indonesian Defense Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, explained, if a peaceful move does not mean not being assertive. However, the peaceful move is called the diplomacy route.
Previously, Indonesia had asserted China’s claims were contrary to legitimate international law. But the Chinese still insist on the Natuna Sea waters part of their country. Even though Indonesia is based 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. That is, the international court of the South China Sea which claimed the 9 Dotted Lines as territorial boundaries of the Bamboo Curtain Country had no historical basis.
As a safeguard, the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) I intensively conducted surveillance and security of the Natuna sea. Based on the results of supervision, the Indonesian Military Commander I Admiral Laksdya Yudo Margono said, at least 30 foreign fishing vessels were detected entering the territory of the Republic of Indonesia by being escorted by 3 Chinese coast guard vessels.
The fury over the Bamboo Curtain country’s behavior also came from the Indonesian Fishermen Alliance (Anni). Which deployed up to 500 large fishing vessels to fish to Natuna. They also aim to assist the TNI in securing Natuna waters. Anni assessed that sea sovereignty is a fixed price for the Indonesian people so that Indonesian marine activists and fishermen emphasized that they were ready to go to Natuna to assist the TNI in their efforts to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Indonesian government’s protest through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the PRC until now has not been able to stop the activities of Chinese ships in Natuna. China is still free to roam around fishing by bringing its surveillance vessels.
According to Riyono as Chair of Anni, the activities of Chinese fishing vessels and surveillance vessels in Natuna waters are the same as the efforts to provoke Indonesia. In addition to provocations that could ignite political and economic implications, according to Riyono’s information, the violation of territorial boundaries was also followed by the actions of Chinese fishermen catching fish using trawlers, this is something that is prohibited in Indonesia.
Anni fully supports the government’s move to protest strongly against China. Anni also supported the TNI’s action to intensify patrols while at the same time threatening the fishermen and Chinese ships that had invaded Natuna territory. In fact, it firmly stated that it would mobilize the strength of Indonesian fishermen such as HNSI, KTNA, and local fishing organizations to collaborate with security forces in the form of mobilizing large fishing vessels to Natuna. If necessary, Fishermen will also demonstrate to the Chinese Embassy.
Efforts to maintain the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia through Natuna received full support from all elements of Indonesian society. Sovereignty is a fixed price that cannot be changed anymore. Although Indonesia-China is a friendly country, of course this attitude of China is considered outrageous. China even does not comply with regulations that have been issued by the international community regarding Natuna, which is a legal part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia. Therefore no further ado, immediately put forth the best effort to expel China from Natuna waters.
)* The author is a social political observer