TEMPO.CO, Pontianak - Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Ade Supandi inaugurates the improvement status from Naval Base Pontianak to become Naval Base XII Pontianak, West Kalimantan Province, Antara News Agency reported Friday, August 7.

Ade said that with the new status, it will also be gradually added with main weaponry system, including armadas (such as warships, fighter jets, marines) and backed by 1,300 personnels.

“We expect the inauguration of Naval Base Headquarter XII Pontianak could increase the navy’s power in the western region, Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lanes (Alki) and West Kalimantan waters in general, to prevent illegal fishing and tensions in the South China Sea, sea boundary issue, and the influx of immigrants via sea, which are prone to criminal acts and other illegal activities,” said Ade.

The power will be distributed to borders which are considered prone to disputes, in creating a border security, and it has been a commitment of the Indonesian Navy in securing the maritime world, Ade said.

Previously, West Kalimantan Deputy Governor Christiandy Sanjaya said its time for West Kalimantan to have a Naval Base since the region is vastly broad and directly bordering with other countries.

Christiandy expects that with the status increase of the naval base, the wealth of maritime could be maintained. “It will certainly have an impact on the increase on fishermen welfare in West Kalimantan,” he said.

ANTARA