Bakamla Discusses Chinese Vessel over Natuna in Meeting with Foreign Affairs
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Laila Afifa
Jumat, 18 September 2020 19:38 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), vice admiral Aan Kurnia, on Friday, Sept. 18, made a courtesy call with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
The call saw “important discussions” regarding North Natuna Sea’s security and the current developments that sparked tension again.
Bakamla spokesperson, Wisnu Pramandita, in a written statement on Friday announced that the call also touched on “other strategic discussions related to Bakamla’s main duties and functions.”
Natuna saw rising tension in the past several weeks. One incident involved China’s CCG 5204 coast guard patrol that the Bakamla claims had entered the North Natuna Sea without notifying the Indonesian government.
Bakamla’s KN Nipah-321 patrol boat giving chase to China’s CCG 5204 coast guard vessel, while attempting to reach them through radio communication, to notify the ship that they had crossed the Indonesian border. However, the Chinese vessel insisted that they were still sailing over their jurisdiction dubbed the nine-dash line. They eventually had to be kicked out of Indonesian jurisdiction.
Read: 30 China's Vessels Trespass into Natuna Waters, Bakamla Says
EGI ADYATAMA
