Jokowi Affirms Indonesia's Sovereign Rights In The Exclusive Economic Zone

President Jokowi visits fishermen in Natuna. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - During his working visit to the Natuna Islands, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province on Wednesday, January 8, President Joko Widodo confirmed the enforcement of Indonesia's sovereign rights over natural resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

As quoted from the statement of the Presidential Secretariat, the President met with hundreds of fishermen at the Selat Lampa Marine and Fisheries Center (SKPT), Lampa Natuna Strait Fishery Port, Natuna Regency, the President. After that the President visited the Republic of Indonesia Ship (KRI) Usman Harun 359 and KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun 356 at the Lampa Strait Integrated Navy Base.

"I also want to come here to ensure the enforcement of the law of our sovereign rights, the sovereign rights of our country, Indonesia over the wealth of our marine natural resources in the exclusive economic zone. Why are Bakamla and the Navy here? To ensure enforcement of the laws that are here," said the President.

As many have reported, recently there have been foreign ships entering Indonesian territory. It should be noted that these foreign ships are in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), not Indonesia's territorial sea, where international ships can pass freely in this zone.

"There are [foreign ships] only entering the exclusive economic zone. That is through all ships," he said.

However, in this zone, Indonesia has the right to natural resources in it and has the right to use its legal policies. Therefore, if there are foreign ships that exploit the natural resources in them illegally, Indonesia has the sovereign right to capture or expel the foreign vessels.

From the top of KRI Usman Harun, for about ten minutes the President reviewed the situation in Natuna Waters with a number of staff who accompanied him, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, and TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.