This Country Has No Reason To Withdraw From The Natuna Conflict

KRI Tjiptadi 381 in Natuna waters (Documentation of Koarmabar 1)

JAKARTA - China insists on having sovereignty in the waters around Natuna, Riau Islands. China claims the area through which its ships pass in Natuna is its own territory. Because there is a Nine Dash line aka nine dotted lines, this is what makes this problem hot.

The attitude of China through its Foreign Ministry spokesman who continues to claim Natuna Waters as its territory, shows China's lack of goodwill to respect Indonesia's sovereignty, after a diplomatic note of protest was sent to the country. Indonesia must take a firmer stance against China.

Member of Commission I, Charles Honoris, said that the government should re-examine the bilateral relations between Indonesia and China. Various bilateral collaborations that are currently being discussed can be postponed or canceled.

"We can also mobilize ASEAN countries not to participate in multilateral initiatives initiated by China in international forums," he said, when contacted, in Jakarta, Saturday, January 4.

In the future, the armed forces and law enforcers of the Republic of Indonesia, he said, should not hesitate to uphold state sovereignty. Increase patrols and strengthen the presence of the state in Natuna waters.

"All Indonesian people must support every effort made by the TNI in protecting every inch of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia from intrusion by foreign parties," he said.

The intrusion of the Chija Coast Guard ship in Natuna Waters is a violation of Indonesia's EEZ, which was determined based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China, as the party that has also ratified the UNCLOS, should respect this.

"China's historical claim to Indonesia's EEZ on the grounds that Chinese fishermen have been active in Natuna for a long time is not recognized by UNCLOS and has also been countered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision in 2016," he explained.

Meanwhile, China's unilateral claim of the nine Dash Lines has no juridical basis. The DPR, said Charles, reminded the government that there is no room for compromise or negotiation regarding Indonesia's territorial sovereignty.

Likewise, Member of Commission I DPR Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi said the DPR supports the efforts of the government and the TNI in protecting Indonesia's sovereignty from China's unilateral unilateral claim to Natuna.

According to him, there is no need to argue again or negotiate on this matter, what must be done is law enforcement and military operations of Kogabwilhan 1. If needed, add 18 military operations in the Natuna region for 2020, so that they are able to guard 24 hours every day.

"After the military operation, the government needs to consider other diplomatic actions including an evaluation of other bilateral economic cooperation with China," he explained.

Not only that, according to Bobby, RI must be prepared to confront China, even though this is the last thing that must be done. There is no doubt, even though China is currently ranked 3rd as the largest investor in RI in 2019.

"And for the Kogabwilhan TNI, to fight the provocation of the Chinese Coast Guard, it is necessary to have a ship capable of hitting illegal fishing vessels, not only the ability to shoot," he explained.

Criticism for Prabowo

Prosperous Justice Party spokesperson Muhammad Kholid supports the firm stance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs who strongly protests against China's policy of claiming unilaterally the sovereignty of the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone in the Natuna Sea.

"When it comes to state sovereignty, the Government must act tough and firm. It must not be soft. Even with friendly countries like China," he said.

Kholid appreciated the Foreign Minister's firm response to sending a protest note to the Chinese government, as a serious commitment by the Indonesian government in protecting the country's territorial sovereignty.

However, in addition, Kholid deeply regretted the soft attitude of the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto who actually underestimated the issue of national sovereignty.

"Pak Prabowo as Minister of Defense should not consider the issue of sovereignty as an issue lightly. Be relaxed. His attitude must be firm and have dignity. If it is soft, relaxed, then this nation will be increasingly humiliated by other nations because they do not have the courage to act," he said.

Indonesia's foreign policy stance is clear regarding the EEZ claims in the Natuna Sea and South China Sea areas. Indonesia adheres to international law in UNCLOS 1982 and the decisions of the United Nations arbitration court regarding the claims of countries in the South China Sea.

"President Jokowi must be clear and firm. China, as part of the international community, must respect international norms and laws that have become an agreement with the nations of the world," he said.

The people are ready to defend their sovereignty

Natuna District Regent Abdul Hamid Rizal spoke about China's interference in his territory. He emphasized that, with all the available capabilities and resources, the Natuna Regency government and community members are ready to defend the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia in Natuna.

In addition, Hamid proposed to the central government to strengthen or increase the position of government in the Natuna and Anambas Regencies to become a Special Province.

Hamid assessed that this step was necessary, because based on Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, the district / city government did not have the authority over marine waters. So that they cannot do much in maintaining and managing the Natuna waters.

"By making Natuna a special province, it will increase the authority and ability in maintaining, managing and participating in guarding the coastal and marine areas in Natuna. Especially the border areas which are currently under the authority of the Riau Islands Province," he said, in a written statement received by VOI.

In addition, Hamid admitted that he would fully support the position of the TNI and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia to deploy an even greater force in the Natuna Region. The goal is to be able to monitor, prevent and counter any attempts to interfere with the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia in the North Natuna Sea.

There is no compromise

The palace ensures that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will act firmly in responding to China's claims in the Natuna waters. Efforts to handle China's claims in Natuna are carried out with peaceful diplomacy.

"Based on the President's direction, the Indonesian government is taking a firm stance and prioritizing peaceful diplomatic efforts in dealing with the conflict in the Natuna waters," said the spokesman for the President, Fadjroel Rachman, Saturday, January 4, as quoted by Detik.com.

"'There is no compromise in defending Indonesia's sovereignty', said President Jokowi," said Fadjroel, imitating Jokowi's orders.

As information circulated, on Thursday, January 2, the Navy's 1st Fleet Command reported that the Chinese Coast Guard was escorting several fishing boats from the Bamboo Curtain Country which were carrying out fishing activities in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone, North Natuna Sea Region.

Then they responded by moving the KRI Tjiptadi-381 and other KRIs to intercept and block the Chinese Coast Guard ship escorting the Chinese fishing boats out of the Natuna Sea area.