Indonesia strengthens maritime patrol in Natuna to expel China’s boats

  • Indonesia is firmly strengthening its maritime patrol in Natuna waters, Riau Islands Province, to expel China’s fishing boats which illegally operated over the territory, as Mahfud MD, the Minister of Coordinating Politics, Law and Security remarked.
  • Referring to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the waters near the Natuna Islands belong to Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) rights so that this matter need not bilaterally be negotiated, he said on 5 Jan 20.
  • He added the Natuna waters definitely belongs to Indonesia so that a negotiation is not needed. “The patrol will be strengthened. Our vessels currently operating in other regions will be mobilized there to drive them out,” Mahfud said.
  • Safeguarded by the Chinese coast guard vessels, Chinese fishing boats have repeatedly trespassed into Indonesia’s economic exclusive zone near the Natuna Islands for poaching. The Indonesian foreign ministry has lodged a strong protest over China’s recent violation.
  • The Indonesian naval ships have already been prepared to secure the country’s sovereignty though Mahfud noted that the measures taken were not meant to engage a war with China.
  • “We are not setting a war, but we are driving them out to protect our own areas,” Mahfud said.
  • The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has lodged a diplomatic protest by summoning China’s ambassador in Jakarta.
  • Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has proposed the purchase of maritime vessels to strengthen Indonesia’s capability of safeguarding its territorial waters and EEZ rights from the violations of foreign ships.

External Link : https://en.antaranews.com/news/139148/indonesia-strengthens-maritime-patrol-in-natuna-to-expel-chinas-boats

External Link : https://en.antaranews.com/news/139159/no-negotiation-with-china-regarding-natuna-mahfud-md

5-Jan-2020