TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Ranai Naval Base (Lanal) Commander Navy Colonel (P) Arif Badrudin regrets Chinese Coastguard’s act in thwarting the arrest of Kway Fey 10078 boat, citing that the incident took place at Natuna Sea, which is part of his command area.
Kway Fey 10078 boat was first detected on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 2.15 pm. The boat’s position was at 05°05,866'N. 109°07,046'E 2.7 miles from Bow 67°. Arif confirmed that the location was not part of the disputed area of South China Sea. “It’s Indonesian exclusive economic zone [ZEE],” he said in Jakarta, Sunday, March 20, 2016.
At the time, the 200 gross ton (GT) Kway Fey boat were cought red-handed of illegally fishing by trawling. After the boat was arrested, officers of Patrol Boat (KP) Hiu 11 intended to escort the boat towards the Pier Supervision Station of the Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP) of Natuna. However, the effort was thwarted by Chinese Coast Guard vessel.
Through radio dispacth, the fully armed Chinese Coast Guard vessel requested for Kway Fey boat to be released. For the sake of mutual security, the request was met. Ranai Naval Base boat was reluctantly escorted the captured boat to the outside of the borders. However, the eight crew members of the fish-stealing boat were arrested and taken to Indonesia.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti were furious about the incident. She immediately asked Foreign Ministry to send a diplomatic note. “I have spoken to Bu Retno [Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi] to send a diplomatic [note] over the arrogance of China,” Susi told reporters at her official residence at Chandra Widya Complex, Jakarta.
In addition, Minister Susi has also sent a letter to President Joko Widodo copied to Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs and Defense Minister calling for the establishment of integrated operation in sea surveillance and law enforcement. “We have to bring the KRI [naval vessels] more often to the seas like Natuna,” she said.
The incident was not the first. Three years ago, on March 26, 2013, Hiu Macan Patrol Vessel stopped a Chinese-flagged boat with hull number 58081 in the Natuna Sea.
However, when Hiu Macan Patrol Vessel escorted the boat to Natuna PSDKP, Chinese patrol vessel, Nanfeng, suddenly appeared and requested for 58081 boat to be released. Hiu Macan’s officers were reluctantly complied due to the size and armory of Nanfeng vessel. “It must not happen again,” Susi said.
PINGIT ARIA
