Bakamla Declares War Against Smuggling And Illegal Fishing

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - New head of the Sea Security Agency (Bakamla) Rear Admiral Arie Soedewo pledged to carry out the instruction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to stamp out smuggling and illegal fishing from Indonesia waters.

Arie said Bakamla is preparing a "stinging" strategy against anyone backing  up the illegal operations.

"I will make myself a bulldozer for the President and Madam Susi (Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti) in the sea against smuggling and illegal fishing," he said here on Friday.  

President Jokowi has expressed concerns about rampant smuggling via the sea of drugs, food, electronic goods and various other industrial commodities.

Arie said strong commitment and synergy  are needed among the stakeholders including the navy, police , the custom service  and other related agencies to carry out the president's instruction.

He said Bakamla, which is an agency accountable directly to the president, would evaluate its performance, carry out bureaucratic reform,  and adopt good governance to be more efficient and effective.  

"We have  vast sea territory more than 3 square kilometers  but our fleets of patrol boats are limited  in number. Sophisticated technology and equipment, therefore, are needed to  watch over the sea territory from Sabang to Merauke," he said.

He said one of the effective system to detect any suspicious movements in the seas is installation of radar and surveillance system connected to all stakeholders that legal action could be taken together by Bakamla , the navy police and the customs office.

He said potential loss in income from the sea is hundreds of trillions of rupiahs  per year by illegal fishing and smuggling.

Meanwhile investment to improve the quality of human resources  and technology for sea monitoring is limited, he said.

"Such is the condition allowed to go on for years to be enjoyed by sea Mafia  backed up by corrupt officials," he said, adding the the budget for sea surveillance has apparently  been intentionally kept small.

"I very much need support  and similar commitment from the finance ministry , the marine  and fisheries ministry , Bappenas,  and the Commission I of the Parliament to improve  the effectiveness  of sea surveillance," he added.

He called on elements of government agencies at all levels, "officers even  generals backing up the illicit practices to repent."

He said he agreed with law enforcing officers sinking the ships of smugglers as a warning and to serve as a deterrent.

"I am ready to sacrifice myself  in the war against smuggling as I am confident that God and President Jokowi would back me up," he added.

Arie  was installed new chief of Bakamla on Wednesday by President Jokowi , who asked him to take concrete steps to eliminate smuggling  in the sea.  (WDY)