Almost all Indonesians support the government\'s efforts to enforce the country’s sovereign rights in the exclusive economic zone in the North Natuna Sea.
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This stance was revealed in a Kompas poll that showed that 92.6 percent of respondents in 17 major cities in the country support the government\'s move to deploy warships to drive Chinese vessels out. In addition, 93 percent of respondents agree that Indonesian fishermen and security forces should be more active in Natuna waters (Kompas, 13/1/2020).
The Natuna Islands consist of 272 islands in Riau Islands province. The Natuna Islands share borders with Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia and are on international shipping lines.
In accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Indonesia has sovereign rights over an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that extends 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from the archipelago’s coastline. In addition, Indonesia has full sovereignty over waters up to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from the coastline.
Tensions with China have occurred in the EEZ area. In February 2019, tensions between Indonesia and Vietnam also occurred in the EEZ area. Tensions with other countries can still take place because it is an open water area and each country has its own footing to justify the activities of their fishermen.
For Indonesia, the challenge is to show the international community its presence in the area. President Joko Widodo said that he would not compromise on Indonesia\'s sovereign rights over its EEZ in North Natuna and said Indonesia\'s presence in the region would be intensified. In 2002, Indonesia\'s lack of presence on Sipadan and Ligitan islands led
the International Court to hand the two islands to Malaysia. This bad experience should not be repeated in North Natuna.
The government plans to relocate hundreds of fishermen from the north coast (pantura) of Java and other areas to the North Natuna Sea to improve Indonesia’s presence in the area, especially in the form of fishing activities. However, fishermen in Natuna gathered on Sunday (12/1/2020) to express their opposition to the government\'s plan. It would be better for the government to empower fishermen in North Natuna. It is feared the arrival of fishermen from other regions could trigger conflicts among them and add to the problem in North Natuna.
The concerns of Natuna fishermen are understandable. In 2004, the government attempted to relocate fishermen from the north coast of Central Java because of overfishing, but it did not work. The government can empower the fishermen in Natuna so they can protect the EEZ. The government can also invite businesspeople to open fish processing facilities. Indonesia must increase its presence in North Natuna.