Natuna Waters Are Not A Traditional Fishing Zone: Fisheries Minister

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Natuna waters are not the traditional fishing zone of another country but are part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Indonesia, according to Indonesia's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Susi Pudjiastuti.

"There is no traditional fishing zone in Natuna. No one recognizes it as a traditional fishing zone," she stated during the launch of four surveillance ships of the Indonesia Fisheries Inspection System (SKIPI) at Tanjung Priok here on Friday.

It was a right move when a ship of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (KKP) seized a fishing boat found poaching in the Natuna waters, she affirmed.

The minister said in pursuit of a solution to the problem, she hoped other countries would respect the steps taken by Indonesia to maintain the sovereignty of its territory.

Pudjiastuti remarked that Indonesia had now become a role model for law enforcement against illegal fishing boats and other irresponsible parties caught poaching fishery resources.

The Indonesia navy's western fleet command has confirmed that Natuna in the Riau Islands is secure despite the recent armed clashes between a KKP vessel and Chinese and Taiwanese ships.

"It is alright. It is still under control. The operation is not new and has been conducted since a long time. It was proven as no one dares to enter Natuna," Commodore TSNB Hutabarat, commander of the Western Fleet's combat task force, stated here on March 28.

He remarked that until now, personnel from the Ranai naval base and joint army and air force officers around Natuna have continued the operation to guard the territory.

Meanwhile, Mahfud Siddiq of House Commission I overseeing security and foreign affairs emphasized the importance of setting up a military base in Natuna in a bid to increase the defense capabilities in the country's central region bordering several other nations.

"It is important to set up a military base in Natuna as part of the efforts to enhance the defense capabilities in the central region that shares its borders with other countries and the South China Sea," he noted here on March 24.

He explained that the establishment of a military base in Natuna will complement the defenses in the country's western and eastern regions, which had already been established to ease military mobility.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had earlier sent a protest note to Sun Weide, the charge d'affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, in connection with the violation committed by the Chinese coast guard in the Indonesian waters.

"I had summoned the Chinese temporary charge d'affairs in Jakarta Sun Weide, and during the meeting, we lodged a strong protest and submitted a note," she remarked.

In the note, Indonesia had protested the violation carried out by the Chinese coastguard against the country's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. (WDY)