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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s suggestion that Australia take part in joint patrols in the South China Sea has sparked concerns on the eve of his two-day visit Down Under.

In an interview published on Friday with The Australian, Jokowi said he saw joint Indo-Australia patrols in the South China Sea, potentially around Natuna Islands at the southern edge of the waters, as “very important” — as long as they did not raise tensions in the region. Jokowi said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“It depends. If there is tension like last year it’s difficult to decide [on] this program,” he said as quoted by The Australian.

Jokowi’s statement referred to a skirmish between Indonesian fishery protection vessels and the Chinese coast guard, which occurred in Natuna waters in Riau Islands province. While Beijing makes no claim on Natuna Islands, it insists that the surrounding waters, which are part of Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone, fall within its historical claim of the so-called “nine-dash line,” therefore allowing its citizens to legally fish in the area.

“But if there is no tension I think it’s very important to have the patrols together. We will discuss this with PM Turnbull,” Jokowi further said.

Institute for Defense, Security and Peace Studies executive director Mufti Makarim has questioned the technicalities of joint patrols, saying Australian waters are nowhere near the disputed region itself.

He said a possible joint patrol would not entail the two countries patrolling in the same waters, but rather separately in their own territories and accompanied by an exchange of information.

Mufti added there was no immediate correlation of interest for Australia to conduct naval activities so far from its territory.

“What’s most important at the moment, I think, is for the government to issue an official statement related to what exactly President Jokowi meant, in order not to cause confusion and create anxiety at the level of countries in the region or also even of many parties who, looking at Indonesia’s position, would be surprised if it really intended to carry this out,” Mufti said.

Indonesia has always staunchly emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, especially to all the claimant parties, urging restraint from actions that could subsequently raise tensions. Indonesia is not a disputant in any conflicting sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.

The House of Representatives Commission I, overseeing defense and foreign affairs, deputy chairman Hanafi Rais said Jokowi’s idea of conducting joint patrols with Australia must be carried out in line with Indonesia’s national interests in the South China Sea.

“It is indeed possible that the President’s idea for joint patrols with Australia could be interpreted as raising the tension with China. Australia also may not necessarily agree because it doesn’t have a direct interest in such an escalation,” Hanafi said, emphasizing the importance of concluding the ongoing negotiations of the code of conduct (COC), which aims to preserve stability in the South China Sea.

Indonesia is set on Sunday to host three days of talks on the finalization of the document, which would see an agreement between ASEAN and China. The meeting is the beginning of a series of discussions intended to finalize the agreement this year.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said Jokowi’s visit to Australia would include discussions on regional development and issues that might include the South China Sea. The focus, he said, would be on ensuring peace and stability in the region, without any reference to joint patrols.

Cooperation with Australia might include various forms of maritime cooperation, including in Indonesian waters such as Natuna, Arrmanatha added.

Jokowi’s two-day visit to Australia is set to focus on strengthening trade and investment, as well as maritime cooperation. Jakarta will push for the finalization of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), which it expects to be concluded this year.

Three memoranda of understanding are also set to be signed, namely on maritime security, maritime cooperation and the creative industry.