Navy Deploys 40 Patrol Boats To Curb Fuel Smuggling

Nusa Dua, Bali, Nov 19 (Antara) - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) is deploying at least 40 patrol boats in the eastern Indonesian waters to thwart fuel smuggling activities.

"Tens of boats are on standby in the sea at any point of time. Just in a day, 40 boats patrol the eastern Indonesian waters," Chief of the Eastern Fleet Command Rear Admiral Arie Hendrikus Sembiring remarked at Nusa Dua in Bali province on Wednesday.

The boats took turns patrolling the waters, he noted.

The eastern part of Indonesia with a long coastline has potential oil deposits, he stated.

The Indonesian areas bordering Timor Leste are among the areas ranked high on the list of priorities to anticipate fuel smuggling, he pointed out.

"We have committed ourselves to securing the waters. Safeguarding the border areas has become a priority of the National Defense Forces (TNI)," he emphasized.

Secretary of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) Gde Pranyana stated that the coastal areas are prone to fuel smuggling activities.

Pranyana expressed concern that the smuggling activities will result in huge losses to the state and will have an even more adverse effect as the oil and gas sector contributes up to 30 percent of the state income.

"There are also attempts of smuggling fuels aboard ships using the sea route," remarked Pranyana. (WDY)