Newly inaugurated Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) chief Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia has said increasing the agency’s presence in the country’s strategic waters, including around the resource-rich Natuna islands near the highly disputed South China Sea, is one of his immediate priorities. Aan took an oath before President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last Wednesday at the State Palace, taking over from Ahmad Taufiqoerrochman, who is retiring. “I will increase [Bakamla’s] presence at sea, particularly in the areas where our presence is needed,” Aan said at the Bakamla headquarters on Friday. He also vowed to improve coordination and synergy with other maritime stakeholders, a measure he deemed necessary to help overcome Bakamla’s lack of human resources, weapons systems and patrol boats to support its operations. “[Bakamla’s] weap...

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