Indonesia Sends Military Backup to Natuna to Deter Chinese Fishing Boats
Jakarta. The Indonesian government will deploy more military personnel in the Natuna Islands following the seizure of a Chinese vessel for illegally fishing in Indonesian territorial waters, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Monday (30/05).
“[We will deploy] three more frigate ships, a fighter jet, drones and radars. We will also send in the Navy's Special Forces, Air Force Special Forces and an Army battalion,” Ryamizard told reporters at the State Palace, as reported by Vivanews.
Ryamizard made his comment after an incident on Friday, when Indonesian frigate Oswald Siahaan 354 intercepted Chinese fishing vessel Gui Bei Yu which carried 500 tons of fish.
Ryamizard said the Indonesian government has planned for a long time to deploy more military force in the Natuna Islands to protect the country's borders, but lacked the funding to do so.
“Once we have active [troops] in the area, I hope there will be no more incident like the one we had on Friday,” the minister said.
Although acknowledging that the Natuna Islands belong to Indonesia, China has claimed the waters around them as its "traditional fishing grounds." On March 19, an Indonesian patrol boat intercepted a Chinese boat fishing illegally in Natuna's waters but a Chinese coastguard vessel intervened and prevented Indonesian officials from confiscating the boat.
Maj. Josdy Damopoli, a spokesman for the Fourth Naval Base in Tanjungpinang, said eight people were arrested in Friday's operation.
The fishing vessel tried to escape to international waters despite repeated radio contact and warning shots into the air and water. The boat eventually stopped after the Navy fired a final warning shot across its bows.
Since the March incident, Indonesia has been stepping up patrols in waters surrounding the Natuna Islands using bigger Navy ships and Maritime Ministry patrol boats to secure the area.
Writing by Edo Karensa
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