Following a string of terror acts in Indonesia recently, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has focused on strengthening security in the country’s "vulnerable" waters.

According to TNI AL, terrorist groups use sea lanes to distribute weapons and explosives to members of their networks.

Rear Admiral S. Irawan, the security assistant of Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Siwi Sukma Adji, said that via Indonesian Military commander Air Chief Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto, TNI AL had received an order from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to prepare for possible terror attacks in the country’s waters.

“Right now, we who serve in TNI AL are on alert and have prepared all of our resources to detect any potential terror [activity],” said Irawan at the Naval Maintenance and Repair Facility in Mentigi, Tanjung Uban, Bintan, Riau Islands.

Irawan said there were indications that the radical groups had used sea lanes to distribute guns and explosive supplies. “We continue to guard against it, especially the distribution of weapons and explosives through sea lanes," he said.

Irawan said authorities needed to pay special attention to maritime security due to the fact that Riau Islands and Batam were categorized as "susceptible" to terror threats because they were located in the Malacca Strait, a busy international route.

“Intelligence operations are considered more important in conditions like this. There are all sorts of potential security or defense risks." (stu/ebf)