Seeing From Natuna, The Government Proposes To Create A Marine Security Perppu

Deputy Chairman of the MPR, Syarief Hasan. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The aftermath of China's disturbance in the Natuna Sea was the emergence of a proposal for the government to immediately issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) on maritime security.

Deputy Chairman of the MPR, Syarief Hasan, said that the government issued a Perppu more effectively than making the Omnibus Law on maritime security. This is because the government needs more time to rely on the Omnibus Law.

"For the Omnibus Law, there is still a process to be carried out. Later, it must pass through the DPR and so on. If the Perppu can be issued tomorrow directly. Tonight the concept is drawn up tomorrow," he said, at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Tuesday, 7 January.

Syarief assessed that the issue of maritime security is very urgent and critical. So, that reason is sufficient for the government to issue a Perppu. Moreover, Indonesia is a maritime country where the sea area is larger than land area.

Not only that, Syarief also asked the government to strengthen the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla). If it is necessary, this institution can use war equipment.

"The functions and duties of Bakamla can also be strengthened by the Perppu if necessary. Bakamla can use the state war fleet and other equipment if conditions allow it to do so," he explained.

Securing Fishermen in the Natuna Sea

Natuna Regent Abdul Hamid Rizal explained that so far he had not heard of a fisherman's boat in Natuna being hit by a Chinese coast guard. Even though they have never been hit, the fishermen are often chased when they come across the ship.

"But if you have ever been chased. Fishermen who go to sea, if we are not patrolling, our fishermen will be chased. If there is our patrol they do not dare," he said, when contacted, in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 7.

Hamid said the fishermen hoped that there would be regular patrols of TNI-owned ships in Natuna waters. Even so, until now fishermen still have the courage to keep sailing. However, with routine patrols, the Natuna community can be calm and safe to look for fish. The name of this article was originally published in Indonesian language.

"So it is hoped that our surveillance vessels will continue at the border. Indeed, it should be necessary to strengthen surveillance in the border area," he said.

For your information, the issue of the Omnibus Law on maritime security emerged after the Chinese fishing boat case entered Natuna waters. It didn't take long, Indonesia immediately sent a diplomatic protest note to the Chinese government over the incident.

A note of protest against violations of Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a Chinese coast guard ship escorted fishermen to steal fish in Indonesian waters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also summoned the Chinese Ambassador to deliver a strong protest. However, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Geng Shuang, argued that his country did not violate international law under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China considers Natuna to be included in the nine broken lines that have been established historically. The nine dash line is the historical area claimed by China in the South China Sea.

However, according to UNCLOS, Natuna waters are part of Indonesia's EEZ. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked China to respect the 1982 UNCLOS decision on Indonesia's sovereign rights in the EEZ.