Don't Underestimate The Exclusive Economic Zone In The Natuna Sea

Illustration. (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI Syaiful Bahri Anshori stated that the issue of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Natuna Sea area, which is claimed unilaterally by the People's Republic of China, should not be underestimated because it is related to the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"I do not agree with the statement of an official who said that the Natuna issue should not be exaggerated. For me, the Natuna issue without being raised is a big problem because it involves RI sovereignty," said Syaiful in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 7.

The PKB politician encouraged President Joko Widodo to actively lobby internationally and strengthen diplomacy to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia. In other words, he continued, the Indonesian government must firmly reject China's unilateral claims and explain the position and attitude of the Republic of Indonesia firmly as well.

He argues that from a wide spectrum of valid and credible arguments both according to international law and historical arguments for the Natuna Sea, Indonesia has a strong position.

"If necessary, we will file an international arbitration suit through an international legal mechanism for violations of Indonesia's EEZ," said Syaiful.

Moreover, he said, Indonesia had also registered the EEZ for Natuna as part of Indonesia's sovereignty and in accordance with international maritime law, and the Indonesian government had also built various infrastructures in Natuna.

The government, including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), is expected to continue to encourage more vibrant fishing activities by Indonesian fishermen in the Natuna Sea, which is part of national waters.

"In international diplomacy, presence is the key word that must be won," said Abdul Halim, Executive Director of the Maritime Studies Center for Humanity.

For this reason, Abdul Halim also agreed that the KKP must really build the national marine and fisheries sector continuously so that the existence of the Republic of Indonesia can really feel real in Natuna.

This, he continued, could be done by bringing all the ministries / state agencies to collectively deploy their strengths according to their main tasks and functions in a coordinative manner on the homepage of this country.

"That way, we can win the battle against baseless claims from China or any other country," he said.