TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) discovered that on Friday, January 3, 2020, a total of 30 Chinese vessels sailed illegally in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The boats were guarded by three coastguard vessels that belonged to the Chinese government.

"When we conduct air patrol this morning, we find 30 boats there. I have deployed more security personnel," said the Bakamla Head Vice Admiral Achmad Taufieqoerrochman at the Coordinating Ministry of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Office in Jakarta on Friday, January 3, 2020.

However, Achmad stopped short of detailing the number of personnel stationed in North Natuna waters.

In addition to the Bakamla's team, Achmad said that the Indonesian Navy (TNI) had also mobilized some of its personnel. Achmad added that the security will attempt to make peaceful approach before resoting to more assertive measures.

"People now prefer to apply white hull (coast guard-type forces), rather than grey hull (regular navy forces)," Achmad said.

After intensive patrolling, Achmad said those Chinese ships had been driven out at around 12:00 p.m. Bakamla however, had not yet updated information regarding the existence of illegal boats in North Natuna waters later in the afternoon.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Sumardi asserted that the Indonesian government strongly rejected China’s claims over North Natuna waters referring to the Nine Dash-Line as it contradicted the international law recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA