TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Foreign Affairs Division of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Central Executive Board Ahmad Basarah, supported the stance assumed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) which he considered to be firm in response to the recent claim made by China over Natuna waters. Basarah urged all government officials to support the stance in unison.

"We asked all officials of the government of the Republic of Indonesia to unite in one stance to support the firm stance of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. There should be no gray decision in safeguarding the dignity and the existence of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia," Basarah said in a written statement on Saturday, January 4, 2020.

Basarah applauded Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Bakamla, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces for being patriotic and showed no tolerance for any foreign ships that trespasses Indonesian territory. Basarah said that such firmness proved that Indonesia will not compromise in safeguarding its sovereignty.

Bassarah said that safeguarding the sovereignty is the mandate of the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution. "The task to protect the Indonesian country and nation cannot be bargained," Basarah said.

Basarah mentioned that Chinese ships in Natuna waters have violated the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone that has been determined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. China as one of the signatories of the UNCLOS.

China claimed Natuna waters as its territory based on its nine-dash line policy. China stated that the Nansha archipelago and its surrounding waters, including Natuna, is the country's traditional fishing territory.

"China's unilateral claim cannot bind other countries, including Indonesia," Basarah said.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI