Indonesia's Efforts To Send Fishermen To Drive Chinese Ships Into Natuna Waters

JAKARTA - The government will dispatch hundreds of fishermen from the North Coast (Pantura) area to look for fish in Natuna waters. According to the Chief of Presidential Staff (KSP) Moeldoko, sending hundreds of fishermen to areas that are currently under the spotlight of the Indonesian and Chinese governments is deemed necessary.

"Yes, this area needs to be filled in," said the former TNI commander at the Coordinating Ministry for PMK Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Monday, January 6.

He also emphasized that the area indeed needs to be filled with activities, including fishing activities by native Indonesian fishermen. It's just that, technically he doesn't know how the process of sending the fishermen there because everything is arranged under the command of Mahfud MD as the Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

Even though he doesn't know the technicalities, Moeldoko ensures that fishermen who are going to fish in the area will be guaranteed safety. "The government provides guarantees (security) for anyone who will carry out fishing activities there. We must secure it," he said.

The sending of hundreds of fishermen is one of the efforts to protect Indonesia's territorial sovereignty. Moreover, Natuna waters are included in the Indonesian Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) which is now claimed by China.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the mobilization of hundreds of fishermen also prevented the entry of foreign fishing boats that entered Natuna waters.

"They stated that they were ready to carry out service activities there, because it is also the right of Indonesian fishermen to utilize natural resources there," said Mahfud MD when meeting 120 fishermen from Pantura at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Office.

His party will also coordinate with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) to oversee the fishing activities of fishermen in Natuna Waters. "General coordination will be carried out by Mr. Sesmenko and operational coordination will be carried out by Deputies I and IV here who will guard it on," he explained.

On that occasion, Mahfud also explained that the Indonesian government never wanted to have a conflict with China. It's just that, strictly speaking, Indonesia's territorial sovereignty should not be disturbed.

"There is no war, but there is no negotiation. Because if you negotiate it means that we recognize that it is a common property," he stressed, adding that matters of trade, economic, cultural relations, any relations with the Chinese government were continued as usual.

Previously reported, Indonesia had sent a protest note to the Chinese government regarding the Coast Guard ship escorting fishermen from the Bamboo Curtain country in Natuna waters, Riau Islands. Even though this area is still the exclusive area of Indonesia.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Jakarta and expressed a strong protest against the incident. A diplomatic note of protest has also been submitted," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a release on the official website of kemlu.go.id.

Now the Indonesian Navy (AL) Fleet I Command has been on guard around the Natuna coastline. Based on a release from the TNI Information Center, the main weapons system (Alutsista) equipment that was alerted included three Indonesian Warships (KRI), a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a Boeing Air Force aircraft to patrol the area.