Indonesia’s Sovereign Rights in EEZ Challenged

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Two Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) vessels patrol the Lampa Strait on Wednesday (15/1/2020) in the waters of Natuna regency, Riau Islands province. Bakamla, along with the Indonesian Military and the National Police, are patrolling Indonesian territorial waters and the North Natuna Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for foreign fishing vessels.

Indonesia needs to seek an explanation from China regarding the presence of a destroyer and five other ships belonging to China in its Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Natuna Sea. Patrols should be increased to safeguard Indonesia\'s sovereign rights.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The presence of the Chinese destroyer, Kunming-172 in Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea on Monday (13/9/2021), can be considered as a threat to Indonesia\'s sovereign rights, as the activities of the warship appear intimidating. In addition, the presence of the ship has also frightened Natuna fishermen. Therefore, the Indonesian government needs to ask for an explanation from China in addition to increasing patrols in the North Natuna Sea.

As reported by Kompas on Thursday (16/9), a group of Natuna fishermen observed on Monday the presence of six Chinese vessels, one of which was the destroyer Kunming-172 at coordinates 6.17237 North and 109.01578 East within the EEZ of the North Natuna Sea. In a video captured by the fishermen, a helicopter could be seen flying low near the farthest forward ship.

Foreign ships may still pass through the EEZ, as part of the right of peaceful passage.

In an EEZ, the coastal country has sovereign rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. Foreign ships may still pass through the EEZ, as part of the right of peaceful passage. However, according to the chairman of the Center for Chinese Studies-Indonesia, Rene L. Pattiradjawane, the Chinese ships\' peaceful intentions could not be determined through examining the circulating photos and videos. "Judging from the photos and videos, the guns on the Chinese ships are not covered. This indicates that there is some kind of intimidation to be conveyed," Rene said on Thursday.

Therefore, the Indonesian government needs to take decisive diplomatic steps such as by seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia regarding the presence of the Chinese ships. “The Defense Ministry also needs to increase its vigilance. This Chinese action is a threat to Indonesia\'s sovereign rights in the EEZ," he added.

The chairman of the association of Natuna fishermen, Hendri , said it was not the first time the fishermen spotted Chinese warships within the EEZ. About a month ago, a number of fishermen also saw another Chinese warship with the hull number 171. "We are afraid because we work in the sea every day," he said.

KOMPAS/EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA

The KRI Teuku Umar and KRI Tjiptadi warships are prepared for deployment in the TNI (Indonesian Military) Sea Combat Alert operation, which is to be reinforced by air power. A military briefing was held and led by the chief of the Joint Defense Territory Command (Kogabwilhan), Vice Adm. Yudo Margono in Natuna on Friday (3/1/2020).

Based on Kompas records, at the end of August, a Chinese survey ship, the Haiyang Dizhi-10, was also repeatedly spotted by satellites conducting activities in the North Natuna Sea accompanied by a number of Chinese coast guard vessels. The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) said on 9 Sept. that it suspected that the increased activities of the Chinese ships were triggered by rising tensions between China and the United States in the South China Sea.

No longer seen

Responding to reports regarding the presence of the six Chinese ships in the North Natuna Sea, the head of the Information Service of the Indonesian Navy, First Adm. Julius Widjojono, said that based on observations conducted by the Navy on Wednesday (15/9) and Thursday, the warships as reported by the fishermen were no longer visible. There were also no foreign fishing vessels seen inside Indonesia’s EEZ in North Natuna Sea, he said.

However, the First Fleet Command (Koarmada) I of the Navy had deployed five warships and an aircraft to patrol the North Natuna Sea.

“There are five ships and we have arranged them in such a way that three or four of them are on standby at sea. That way, we can monitor ships that are likely to enter Indonesian waters," said the commander of the Navy\'s First Fleet, Rear Adm. Arsyad Abdullah.

KOMPAS/EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA

Admiral Yudo Margono, Saturday (4/1/2020), demonstrated mutual maneuvers between KRI Teuku Umar and KRI Tjiptadi with two coast guards and a Chinese maritime surveillance vessel, about 105 nautical miles from Ranai, the capital of Natuna Regency, Riau Islands .

The five warships will guard Indonesia\'s sovereign territorial waters up to 12 miles from the baseline. However, it is possible that Indonesian warships will be assigned to patrol the EEZ to ensure that Indonesia\'s sovereign rights are not threatened.

"If there are [foreign] ships conducting exploration or exploitation, we must closely monitor that," he said. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Teuku Faizasyah, said the ministry was waiting for an explanation from related institutions, such as Bakamla, before discussing the steps to be taken.

Maritime expert at Gadjah Mada University, I Made Andi Arsana, and a lecturer at the School of Law at the University of Indonesia, Arie Afriansyah, separately said that the request for an explanation from China regarding the presence of its warships in Indonesia\'s EEZ was a normal procedure that had to be taken by the Indonesian government. According to Andi, the government also needs to seek an explanation from the US government regarding the presence of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the North Natuna Sea, some time ago.

DOKUMENTASI ALIANSI NELAYAN NATUNA

A foreign military vessel with hull number 171 is escorting Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessels that are catching fish illegally in the North Natuna Sea, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, Friday (19/3/2021).

Another thing that the government should do is to increase patrols in the EEZ area, Andi said, adding that violations of sovereign rights often occur, such as in the form of the exploitation of natural resources by foreign ships, foreign disruption of efforts conducted by the country to explore natural resources in the EEZ and research without permission. (NDU/EDN/RAZ)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).