Budi Gunawan Affirms Cooperation With China Does Not Affect Indonesia's Sovereignty In The North Natuna Sea

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan at the office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Rawamangun, East Jakarta, Thursday (14/11/2024) (ANTARA/Walda Marison)

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Budi Gunawan ensured that the cooperation agreement between China and Indonesia would not affect Indonesia's sovereign position in the North Natuna Sea.

"Cooperation will not have an impact on our sovereignty and jurisdiction, especially in the North Natuna Sea, as rumored. Because everything is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations of each country," said Budi Gunawan when met at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise building, Rawamangun, East Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Thursday, November 14.

The collaboration built by President Prabowo Subianto with Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to maintain regional stability. Not only that, this collaboration is also based on the development of consensus between each country and the goal of mutually benefiting both parties.

"And the pressure points for cooperation that were built yesterday are mostly in the economic sector, especially in the field of fisheries conservation," said BG.

Therefore, BG ensures that the sovereignty of the country in the North Natuna sea area will not change and be well maintained. Previously, several times Chinese-owned ships entered the North Natuna region which is an area belonging to Indonesia.

One of the newest is the entry of the China Coast Guard-5402 (CCG - 5402) ship to the Indonesian Jurisdiction area in the North Natuna Sea, Friday (25/10).

Bakamla RI in an official press release received by ANTARA in Jakarta said the ship's expulsion began when the ship from China entered the North Natuna Sea area.

"The CCG-5402 ship admits they are carrying out patrols in the Chinese jurisdiction. This is known from the radio communication between CCG - 5402 and KN Pulau Dana - 323 which continues to approach and shadow," said the Indonesian Bakamla Youth Expert Public Relations Pranata, Captain Bakamla Yuhanes Antara.

Seeing this action, the State Ship (KN) Dana-323 Island tried to approach the ship from China. The Chinese ship also gave a warning not to approach.

However, Bakamla's appeal was ignored, which properly overshadowed the Chinese ship with the State Ship (KN) Dana-323 Island. Bakamla also continued to approach the ship to get out of the territory that had become Indonesia's territory.

"Based on UNCLOS 1982, Indonesia's jurisdiction, especially the Indonesian Continent Landas in the North Natuna Sea, it has received international recognition, where Indonesia has sovereign rights to exploit and explore natural resources in the region without being disturbed by any country," explained the press release.

After carrying out various efforts, the ship from the bamboo curtain country finally left the North Natuna Sea area.

"Bakamla RI will continue to show its commitment in maintaining security and enforcing the law in Indonesian waters and Indonesian jurisdictions," said Yuhanes.