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Standoff challenges Indonesia's Natuna approach
Over the past week, Jakarta and Beijing have been involved in a diplomatic tug-of-war over the latter’s claim in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in North Natuna Sea, which borders Vietnam and Malaysia and is located in the southern tip of the South China Sea.
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Chinese fishing vessels have persisted and been seen catching fish in waters only 209 kilometers from Ranai, the capital of Natuna regency, Riau Islands. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)
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hina is reportedly undeterred and has kept its fishing and Coast Guard vessels in the Natuna Sea, Riau Islands province, despite Indonesia’s protests and attempts to increase its presence in the waters, which was why experts believe that Indonesia would have to review its China strategy.
Over the past week, Jakarta and Beijing have been involved in a diplomatic tug-of-war over the latter’s claim in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in North Natuna Sea, which borders Vietnam and Malaysia and is located in the southern tip of the South China Sea, a highly disputed body of water on which China has made a sweeping claim that was invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016.
The Foreign Ministry summoned China’s ambassador to Indonesia last week to lodge a formal protest. And just on Saturday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, through his spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman, said "there will be no compromise" on territorial integrity and "at the same time, Indonesia will prioritize pursuing peaceful diplomacy first" in dealing with China — one of Indonesia's strategic partners in the region and one of its biggest trading partners.
However, Joint Defense Area Command I (Kogabwilhan I) commander Vice Adm. Yudo Margono said that as of Sunday, Chinese fishing vessels had persisted and been seen catching fish in waters only 209 kilometers from Ranai, the capital of Natuna regency.
“The ships were accompanied by a couple of Chinese coast guard vessels and one fishing guard vessel,” Yudo said as quoted by Antara, adding that the Indonesian Military (TNI) had deployed two of its warships (KRI) in a military operation to drive the foreign vessels out of Natuna.
Following the increased incursion in Indonesia’s EEZ which reportedly began since last month, Indonesia would add military power to Natuna Sea, with TNI to deploy four additional warships to drive out the foreign vessels, he said, adding that the operation would still be in effect until the foreign vessels leave.
The increased patrols in Natuna waters was one of the results agreed in a Friday meeting at the Coordinating Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Ministry, attended by top officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), TNI and several other related authorities.
