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Bakamla in charge of Natuna Sea security

Indonesia has assigned the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to be in charge of security in the North Natuna Sea, in which skirmishes with foreign fishing boats often occur

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Mon, February 24, 2020

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Bakamla in charge of Natuna Sea security

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span>Indonesia has assigned the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to be in charge of security in the North Natuna Sea, in which skirmishes with foreign fishing boats often occur.

The agency is to lead 13 institutions, including the Navy, that currently share authority in the area.

The decision was announced on Friday following a meeting of agencies involved in maritime security at the office of Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD.

Mahfud said the decision was made in response to a recent encroachment of Chinese fishing boats that were escorted by fully armed China Coast Guard vessels.

“They are stealing our fish; they are violating our sovereign rights. That is a threat to our territorial integrity, our territorial power,” he said.

Under an agreement with the other institutions, Bakamla is tasked with surveillance and monitoring of fishing in Natuna waters, an area that Indonesia claims as part of its 200-mile exclusive economic zone, but over which China claims to have some rights, declaring them its traditional fishing grounds.

“This is one of the government's ways to overcome territorial problems and exercise Indonesia's sovereign rights over the management and use of our resources in the exclusive economic zone,” said Bakamla's new chief, Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, who is a Navy officer.

Aan, who was installed by President Joko “Jokowi” on Monday, signed a memorandum of understanding with other relevant agencies, including the Law and Human Rights Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, the Environment and Forestry Ministry, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police.

During the tensions in the Natuna Sea last month, the Indonesian Navy dispatched vessels to drive away the Chinese fishing boats, a move that led to a spat between the two countries.

Friday’s agreement was meant to resolve the issue since Bakamla is to be the agency that deals with the fishing by foreign vessels in the waters, which directly links to the South China Sea.

Although largely staffed by personnel seconded from the Navy, Bakamla is independent of the TNI and answers directly to the President.

Bakamla currently has about 40 vessels, including a 110-meter flagship, three 80-m patrol ships, 22 smaller patrol boats and 14 rigid inflatable boats. Some of the patrol boats, however, are only equipped with 12.7 millimeter guns, which are commonly used for self-defense only.

To prevent further foreign intrusions in the North Natuna Sea, the government is also encouraging Indonesian fishing boats to operate in the area.

Also on Friday, three fishing associations — the Indonesian Fishermen's Alliance, the Indonesian Fishermen's Association and the Independent Fishermen's Group — agreed to send members. State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina has agreed to help with supplying fuel for the fishing and patrol ships.

“All these agencies and maritime communities can work together and cooperate,” Aan said.

Bakamla was established in 2014 and aimed to become the country’s coast guard with its own armed vessels. Previously, it was known as Bakorkamla and acted more as coordinator of the various agencies patrolling the country’s vast territorial waters.

The agency, however, has yet to fulfill the role as other institutions, including the Navy, already have authority over the waters and vessels to enforce it.

Besides the Navy, the Transportation Ministry runs the Indonesian Coast and Sea Guard (KPLP) and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry also has its own division, as do the Customs and Excise Agency, the National Police’s Water and Air Police. Many provincial administrations also run their own coast guard patrols. This often causes confusion because of overlapping operations.

The government is drafting a bill to define their respective authorities and bring all their operations under Bakamla’s supervision.

Military observer Anton Aliabbas said the establishment of a single command to control the country’s maritime areas should be applied beyond the Natunas.

“The agreement should be made more general, not for one specific area,” he said. “The problem of overlapping authorities in the maritime sector is not limited to the Natunas.” (mfp)

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