PDIP Faction of the DPR agrees to grant 1.9 billion yen for Japanese patrol ships with 3 conditions

Archive. The plenary meeting of the DPD RI on Thursday, August 18, 2022 evening. (ANTARA-Imam Budilaksono)

JAKARTA - The plenary session of the Indonesian House of Representatives has approved the acceptance of a grant for defense and security equipment (Alpalhankam) in the form of a 18 M-Class Patrol Boat from the Japanese government worth 1.9 billion Yen. Later, the patrol boat will be used by the Indonesian Navy (AL).

Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDIP Faction, TB Hasanuddin explained that his faction agreed to the offer of a patrol boat grant from the Japanese Government through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program. With the proviso, the grant must meet a number of important requirements to safeguard national interests and the sustainability of Indonesia's defense capabilities.

TB Hasanuddin also emphasized that the support was given as long as the grant did not harm Indonesia and really strengthened the capabilities of the TNI, especially the Navy.

"The PDI Perjuangan faction approves the offer of a Japanese Official Security Assistance (OSA) patrol boat grant, provided that it meets three conditions," TB Hasanuddin told reporters, Thursday, February 19.

The first condition, continued TB Hasanuddin, is that the grant must not be binding, so as not to create political or military consequences that could reduce Indonesia's sovereignty in determining its defense policy.

"Second, the patrol boat must be useful and can be optimally used for the benefit of the TNI, especially the Indonesian Navy, in maintaining the sovereignty and security of Indonesian territorial waters," he explained.

Third, the aspect of ship maintenance must not burden the TNI, so as not to add to the burden of the state budget through the state budget. "The maintenance does not burden the TNI, so it does not burden the state budget," he said.

The retired TNI Major General added that the strengthening of maritime cooperation between Indonesia and Japan had indeed begun through the OSA program. This program is an official assistance initiative from the Japanese government that is specifically designed to strengthen the defense capacity and maritime security of partner countries, including Indonesia.

According to TB Hasanuddin, this cooperation can provide positive benefits for Indonesia, especially in improving the ability to secure the very wide and strategic sea areas.

"The PDI Perjuangan faction will continue to ensure that any form of foreign defense cooperation remains based on the principles of national interests, defense independence, and does not create new burdens for the country," he said.

It is known that the DPR RI has approved the acceptance of a grant for defense and security equipment (Alpalhankam) of the type Patrol Boat 18 M-Class worth 1.9 billion Yen from the Japanese government. This approval was taken in the plenary session of the DPR RI held today, after it was previously approved by the DPR Commission I.

"The council session that we respect, then we ask the honorable council session, whether the report of the DPR RI Commission I on the approval of the receipt of the Patrol Boat 18 M-Class grant from the Japanese government can be approved?" said the Speaker of the DPR RI Puan Maharani, followed by the approval of members of the DPR RI who attended the plenary meeting.