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Govt must follow up on trilateral MoU to tackle piracy: Lawmaker
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A naval base prepares for the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus Maritime Security and Counterterrorism Exercise. (BT/ Ridhwan Kamarulzaman)
I
ndonesia must immediately follow up on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening joint maritime defense with Malaysia and the Philippines to tackle piracy and kidnapping in regional waters, a lawmaker says.
A member of the House of Representatives’ Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs, Maj. Gen. (ret) Supiadin Aries Saputra, said the government should quickly develop concrete technical concepts and strategies for the cooperation, as well as draft a joint declaration on maritime defense cooperation within the framework.
"[For example] every Indonesian ship leaving for the Philippines could be guarded by the Filipino Coast Guard. It would work both ways," Supiadin said on Monday in Jakarta.
Securing regional waters between the neighboring countries was of great importance, Supiadin asserted, especially as the kidnapping of sailors often happened in southern Philippines waters around Tawi-tawi, Basilan and Sulu islands.
The military commanders of the three countries should meet to discuss long-term security measures, including joint patrols, Supiadin said, adding that in the meantime, the government should communicate closely with the Philippines to ensure the safety of seven Indonesians held captive by two groups. (ags)
