he Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) is in the midst of a joint sea patrol with the Malaysian government throughout the areas surrounding both countries in an effort to strengthen safety measures.
The patrol, code-named Patkor Optima Malindo (Malaysia-Indonesia Coordinated Maritime Patrol), began last week in Klang, Malaysia and is still underway.
"The participating ships from Indonesia include the KN Belut Laut 4802, the KRI Siwar 646, the KRI Tenggiri 865 and the KP Macam 002," Barkamla Maritime Operations director Marine Colonel Rahmat Eko Raharjo reported in a written statement on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com.
The joint patrol was launched at PHN TLDM Port Klang, Malaysia with a ceremony that was attended by a number of maritime officials from both countries.
The Bakamla legal director, First Admiral TNI Yuli Dharmawanto, said Indonesia has yet to have a maritime security system that could synergize all the various components involved in achieving effective law enforcement in Indonesian waters.
The board continues in its efforts to develop a possible framework that could allow all stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining security and safety at sea in an effective and efficient manner, he added.
"We are currently designing a security and safety system that can be used by all stakeholders simultaneously and in real-time to monitor maritime security and safety," Dharmawanto said.
He also referred to the importance of approaching and educating coastal communities to further strengthen sea security affairs.
Dharmawanto said the residents of such areas would be the first line of defense.
The government needs to transform coastal communities to be agents of marine security, especially because illegal ports are still rife in those areas.
"The issue can be better addressed through cooperation between the goverment and the residents of coastal areas," Dharmawanto said. (liz/bbn)
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