Situation in North Natuna Sea Safe and Under Control: Bakamla Chief

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chief of the Indonesian Maritime Security Board (Bakamla), Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, said the situation in the North Natuna Sea was safe and under control. Aan made the statement following news on Chinese warships traversing in the area on Monday, September 13, 2021.

“I would like to reiterate that the [situation] in the North Natuna Sea is safe and under control,” he said during a working meeting with the House Commission overseeing defense on Monday, September 20, 2021.

In the meeting, he also called on fishermen to continue to sail in the waters, and that Bakamla was ready to secure the area together with the other stakeholders.

“We are ready to secure and safeguard [the area], we are ready to protect them,” Aan said.

Aan explained Indonesia was resorting to the free-and-active political approach in dealing with the South China Sea dispute and likened the approach to the timing as to when to hit the brake and gas pedals, contingent on the situation.

Aan also underscored that law enforcers must not compromise with foreign ships that broke into the Indonesian waters—both its exclusive economic zone (ZEE) and continental shelf. “We will take action against violators,” he said.

Aan explained the South China Sea conflict would have direct impact on the military powers of giant nations in the waters, and that its indirect impact would include weaponry competition, sailing disruption risks, and increased logistic and security costs.

Read: US Carrier Often Passes North Natuna Sea; Indonesian Navy Explains

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