The Governor Of South Sulawesi Protests Loudly To The Chinese Embassy About Underwater Drones In Selayar: They Are Spies

Underwater drone allegedly belonging to China found by fishermen in South Sulawesi's Selayar Waters (DOK. IST)

MAKASSAR - South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah filed a protest to China via the Embassy over the discovery of an underwater drone allegedly belonging to China. This underwater drone was found in the waters of the Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi.

Prof. NA — Nurdin Abdullah's nickname — said the South Sulawesi Provincial Government had coordinated with the related Danlantamal VI, the discovery of the UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle) or the drone in the sea of Selayar Regency, Sunday, December 20. This underwater drone was found by fishermen.

"Now we have complained about the diplomatic note to the Chinese embassy," said South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah after attending a work meeting for the implementation of the 2021 budget and evaluation of 2020 activities at the South Sulawesi Governor's office, Jalan Urip Sumoharjo, Monday, December 4.

The discovery of the drone, which was strongly suspected of belonging to China, was emphasized by the Governor of South Sulawesi, Prof. NA, to get serious attention. Prof. NA suspected that the existence of drones in the waters of Selayar Sulsel is a spy activity so it should be watched out for.

"That's a spy. We have coordinated with Danlantamal, the Navy (regarding the drone discovery)," he said.

The discovery of underwater drones allegedly belonging to China was found by fishermen from Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi (Sulsel). This drone was found by fishermen who were looking for fish in Selayar waters. A fisherman named Saeruddin (60) at that time went out to go fishing on Sunday, December 20.

"I left the house around 14.00 WITA. Because in the afternoon I got the drone," said Saeruddin (60), told reporters, Monday, January 4.

The underwater drone, which is shaped like a missile, was found when Saeruddin was fishing by boat he was rowing in Selayar waters. The object weighs about 170 kilograms and is about 225 centimeters (cm) long.

"I use a canoe to row, look for fish using a fishing line. What I saw first was that he had an antenna, only the antennas were seen, the thing floated, I saw that," he continued.

He decided to bring the winged object to his house in Majapahit Village, Pasimarannu District, Selayar. After a week of storage, the object was evacuated to the Headquarters of the Pasimarannu Sub-District Military Command (Koramil) on Saturday, December 26. The TNI decided to transport the drone from Saeruddin's house.

"After that I gave him a ride, under the edge of the beach I tied it with a rope. I took it to the beach first then I called the residents to help me, lift it to the side of the house,

Being lifted to the side of the house, one Sunday beside the house, there was a TNI member from there who wanted to secure it, "said Saeruddin.

Researched Pushidrosal

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono gave one month for the Indonesian Navy's Center for Hydrography and Oceanography (Pushidrosal) to examine marine drones or later known as seagliders found in Selayar waters, South Sulawesi.

According to him, Pushidrosal can cooperate with related ministries and institutions, such as the Ministry of National Development Planning and the Ministry of Defense to determine the origin of the slider and the designation of the tool.

"I gave Pak Kapushidros one month to determine or disclose the results so there is certainty," said Yudo in a press conference held at Pushidrosal Building, Ancol, North Jakarta, Monday, January 4.

He admitted that he could not confirm where the seaglider came from. Moreover, he said, the body of the tool was not detected by any writing that could determine the country of manufacture or country of origin of the underwater equipment.

"So there is no writing here. We do not believe that what we find like that, is still exactly what the fisherman found, we brought it here," he said.

Although we do not know where the seaglider or marine drone came from, his party has reported this finding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate the seaglider findings to countries that are known to operate and use the tool. It's just that, until now the results are still nil.

"Until now, no country has claimed who owns this. So that later we will report it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this discovery," he said.

Yudo also said that Indonesia has not communicated with the countries that manufacture or operate the device. Because he considered, the large number of publications from the media should make the country feel that it has a tool found floating in Indonesian territory. "I'm sure other countries already know who owns it and so on, it must have arrived at a country that has equipment like this," he said.