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RI, Vietnam vessels clash in Natuna
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Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti speaks to journalists in a press conference at her office in Jakarta on June 21. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)
O
nly days after the Indonesian Military (TNI) staged a massive exercise in the the Natuna Island, Riau Islands, Vietnamese coast guards appear to have freed five Vietnamese-flagged boats that had been caught by Indonesian authorities for allegedly poaching in the area.
An Indonesian maritime patrol boat had reportedly intercepted the five boats and arrested 55 Vietnamese crew members.
But the Vietnamese regained the upper hand after an unexpected aggressive intervention by Vietnamese coast guards forced the Indonesian authorities to back off, release the arrested men and return to base empty handed.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti confirmed the intervention by the Vietnamese but refused to go into detail. “There will be a press conference, tomorrow [Tuesday],” she told The Jakarta Post.
The incident is being seen as a major test for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who personally observed last week’s drill in Natuna and who has in recent months initiated a policy of boosting Indonesia’s military presence in the area, including waters that have long been prone to rampant illegal fishing activities.
It also took place while dozens of Asia Pacific ministers, including Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, were in Hanoi to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting where they set out their commitment to strengthen economic cooperation and achieve inclusive growth.
The KM Hiu Macan 001 patrol boat belonging to the Maritime and Fisheries Resources Monitoring (PSDKP) Directorate General at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry caught the five boats at around 11 a.m. on Sunday.
