TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Bakamla completes desktop exercise with Australian counterpart
Change Size
Indonesian Navy personnel patrol waters near St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua on March 7. (Antara/Wira Suryantala)
T
he Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) and its Australian counterpart Maritime Border Command (MBC) have participated in scenarios on maritime security issues affecting the region as part of the annual Maritime Security Desktop Exercise (MSDE); a regional capacity building initiative by MBC and Bakamla.
The event was held in Indonesia, last week, according to a release by the Australian government made available on Wednesday.
The MBC is a multi-agency task force within the Australia Border Force, which works closely with regional partners to enhance their critical role in mitigating civil maritime security threats.
This year's MSDE focused on prohibited imports, maritime counter terrorism and transnational crime in the maritime domain, and on jurisdiction issues in the various maritime zones.
Source: The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection Service Image Library
MBC Commander Rear Admiral Peter Laver said MSDE is a key activity in Australia's partnership with Indonesia.
“As island nations, we share interlinked security challenges such as illegal migration, illegal fishing and resource exploitation, robbery and violence at sea and maritime terrorism.
"Joint efforts to mitigate these threats will help ensure our nations’ ongoing prosperity,” he said.
(Read also: Indonesia seeks global support against poaching)
Bakamla has been stormed by a high-profile corruption case surrounding the procurement of a sea surveillance satellite systems project worth Rp 222 billion (US$16.7 million).
Bakamla chief Vice Adm. Arie Soedewo has been implicated in the case that has seen three businessmen and two Bakamla high-ranking officers named suspects. Arie has denied the allegation.
