Indonesia Firmly Rejects China’s Claim

KOMPAS/EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA

Chief of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) Vice Adm. Yudo Margono  presides over the Operation Natuna Alert ceremony in Natuna, on Friday (3/1/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS— Indonesia has firmly reiterated its rejection of China’s unilateral claim over what Beijing describes as its traditional fishing grounds. The presence of Chinese vessels in these regions is a violation of Indonesia’s sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as recognized by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

After attending a coordination meeting led by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed that China had violated UNCLOS by entering Indonesia’s EEZ. Indonesia’s EEZ claim over the North Natuna Sea is based on UNCLOS. As a country that recognizes the convention, China is asked to respect Indonesia in the dispute.

“Indonesia will never recognize China’s unilateral claim, which is not based on any international law, such as the 1982 UNCLOS,” Retno said.

Nevertheless, the Indonesian government said that it would not be provoked and would always prioritize measurable steps.

Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) chief Vice Adm. Achmad Taufiqoerrachman, who attended the meeting, said that Bakamla vessels had driven Chinese vessels out of North Natuna Sea many times as the vessels had violated Indonesia’s EEZ. Taufiqoerrachman said that Bakamla would always be on the frontline in protecting the South China Sea. “If we use warships, the tension will be different. This is why Bakamla will always be out in front with the Indonesian Military [TNI] providing backup,” he said.

Furthermore, Indonesia will always prioritize a diplomatic approach. “Therefore, the Foreign Minister is also on the front line as this is related to law and diplomacy, instead of physical strength. We are not in wartime,” Taufiqoerrachman added.

Separately, in leading an assembly of the Operation Natuna Alert forces in Lampa Strait, Natuna, on Friday, Joint Defense Area I Commander Vice Adm. Yudo Margono shared a similar sentiment.

“We must not get easily provoked. We must take our actions measurably in line with prevailing laws,” Yudo said.

Indonesian Navy ships KRI Tjiptadi and KRI Teuku Umar, which were present during the assembly, will be part of the operation. Three other Navy ships, namely KRI John Lie, KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun and KRI Usman Harun, are on the way to join the operation.

“We must maintain strategic partnerships with neighboring countries to keep communication lines open and prevent trouble,” Yudo said.

He added that communications remained open regarding the presence of foreign vessels in Indonesia’s EEZ, even after some of them encroached on the country’s continental shelf. In line with prevailing law, foreign vessels violating territorial rules must be driven out and poachers must face the law.

We saw Chinese coast guard vessels overseeing Chinese fishing vessels around 130 nautical miles from the Ranai air base in Natuna.

Yudo said that on his way to Natuna he saw around 30 Chinese fishing vessels and three Chinese coast guard vessels entering Indonesia’s and Malaysia’s EEZs. The vessels were roughly at 5 degrees North, 109 degrees East. “We saw Chinese coast guard vessels overseeing Chinese fishing vessels around 130 nautical miles from the Ranai air base in Natuna,” Yudo said.

Potential

Potential fish resources in the Republic of Indonesia’s Fishery Management Area (WPP-NRI) 711, comprising the Karimata Strait, Natuna Sea and South China Sea, amounts to 767,126 tons. Fishermen empowerment and monitoring should be increased to prevent this potential from being lost.

Lubuk Lumbang fishermen association head Suherman of Bandarsyah sub-district in East Bunguran district said that the average fishing yield had been only 1 ton per week since early December 2019, lower than the usual 3 tons per week. This decline could be partially due to illegal foreign fishing vessels reentering North Natuna waters.

“Poachers seek high-value fish, such as red snapper and goldband snapper, which can be sold at Rp 60,000 [US$4.30] per kilogram. Without illegal fishing vessels, traditional fishermen in Natuna could be prosperous,” Suherman said.

“When they see poachers, [local] fishermen often stay away. These foreign vessels are usually much bigger and are accompanied by coast guards. How can we drive them out, when our vessels can capsize and drown when hit by waves from those ships?” said Zakimin, the head of Natuna regency fishery agency. (EDN/NDU/RAZ/SAN)