This Is Prabowo Subianto's Response To The Findings Of Chinese Drones In Indonesian Waters

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto asked the public not to go too far over the findings of underwater drones in Selayar waters, Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi which allegedly belonged to China.

According to him, the public does not need to worry because currently all relevant elements will handle the findings. This was conveyed by Prabowo through his spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.

"The Ministry of Defense urges the public not to have counterproductive polemics. The Ministry of Defense and TNI Headquarters, especially the Navy, will definitely deal with the problem," Dahnil said in a written statement to reporters, Monday, January 4.

He also emphasized that at this time, the Indonesian Navy had carried out a related investigation and as a result, the drone turned out to be a sea glider which was often used for oceanographic data surveys.

"For more details, the Indonesian Navy through the Hydrographic and Oceanography Center will investigate further," he said.

Instead of policing, Prabowo said as stated by Dahnil, he hoped that the Indonesian people would continue to support the TNI to strengthen Indonesia's defense.

"Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto hopes that the Indonesian people will continue to support the TNI to work hard for Indonesia's defense and let's jointly strengthen the people's defense to ensure a stronger NKRI," he said.

Previously reported, this drone was found by fishermen in the waters of Bonerate Island, Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi, and is now being secured at the Indonesian Navy Base in Makassar.

This finding then caused attention, including from members of the Indonesian Parliament Commission I Sukamta. He said the government had to immediately reveal the origin of the foreign objects in the sea which were later referred to as drones.

"The government must seriously reveal the origin of the drone," said Sukamta via a short message to journalists in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Saturday, January 2.

He said if it was true that the object was a drone owned by another country, the government should protest strongly and take firm diplomatic action.

This is because the underwater drones have deeply entered Indonesian territory and he is worried that other drones are already roaming in Indonesian territory and taking important geographic data and Indonesia's marine potential. "This means that our national security is very vulnerable," said Sukamta.