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Bakamla eyes coordinated response to Chinese activity in the Natunas
Indonesia's maritime authorities call for a coordinated response to the repeated trespass of Chinese vessels in its waters.
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Chinese coast guard ship 3303 passes near the Imam Bonjol warship 383 as the Indonesian Navy pursues the Han Tan Cou fishing vessel entering Indonesia's Natuna waters on June 17. The Navy caught the China-flagged boat suspected of illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. (Antara/Photo Courtesy of The Navy's Western Region Fleet Command (Koarmabar))
T
he Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has urged the Foreign Ministry to take immediate diplomatic action over recent activities in the Natuna Sea, where Chinese vessels have been caught trespassing in Indonesian waters as recently as last week.
The agency recorded between Dec. 19 and 24 that at least 63 Chinese fishing and coast guard vessels had entered Natuna waters in Riau Islands province without authorization.
Bakamla chief Vice Adm. Taufiqurrahman said that dozens of Chinese coast guard ships were found escorting traditional fishermen whom the authorities suspect were illegally fishing in waters China has claimed as part of its traditional fishing grounds.
He said he had informed the Foreign Ministry of the findings so that the government could take appropriate diplomatic measures.
“I have written a letter regarding the situation on the ground. I recommended that the Foreign Ministry prepare orchestrated measures between [our] field operations and diplomacy,” Taufiqurrahman said on Saturday.
“What kind of measure is up to the Foreign Ministry, it could be a protest note to China.”
The ministry’s director for political, security and territorial treaties, Bebeb Djunjunan, said there may have been violations in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
