Sea Border Unaffected by Singapore's Reclamation: Minister
15 December 2016 22:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that Singapore's reclamation project would not affect the sea border agreement between Indonesia and Singapore, which is based on the United Nations' 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea.
"We confirm that Singapore's reclamation project will not affect the delimitation in the Singapore Strait," Budi said during a plenary meeting with the House of Representatives at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Thursday, December 15, 2016.
Earlier, the House of Representatives passed a draft bill on sea border agreement between the two countries. As many as 10 factions expressed their agreement to pass the law.
Budi explained that the Indonesian sea border is started from the Indonesian sea border line, while that of Singapore is started from the original Singapore coast.
"For Singapore, the sea border starts from the original coast line, which is not affected by Singapore reclamation projects," Budi added.
Budi revealed that the agreement offers legal protection for economic activities in the region, "including for shipping and port management based on the national legislation," Budi pointed out.
Asril Hamzah Tanjung, deputy chairman of House's Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, added that the agreement was aimed at protecting Indonesia's interest in the Singapore Strait. Asril added that the agreement would provide a basis for law enforcers to investigate cross-border crimes.
ARKHELAUS W.