Jakarta - Indonesia has a rich history related to Natuna waters as a connecting route between the archipelago with Southeast Asia and East Asia. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Indonesia has sovereign rights in North Natuna sea waters, including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
The statement was made by the Acting Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Donny Ermawan Taufanto, in a national seminar with the theme "Indonesia's Historical Perspective in Resolving the North Natuna Sea and Papua Conflicts", Monday (8/7/2024), at Balai Samudera Building, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.
Donny Ermawan emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive study from various perspectives to resolve the conflict, including historical aspects, in the hope of providing deep insight into the problems in the North Natuna Sea and Papua.
"Besides the conflict in the North Natuna Sea, Indonesia also faces challenges in Papua involving security and public order (Kamtibmas) disturbances. Conflicts in the region are complex and varied, including attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure," he explained.
History plays an important role in building a state and nation that has a single commitment amidst diversity. The conflicts in the North Natuna Sea and Papua are tests of Indonesia's national integrity with different challenges.
The conflict in the North Natuna Sea is related to territorial sovereignty that faces threats from abroad, while the issue in Papua is more internal although it is also influenced by certain external factors.
To deal with the challenges in the South China Sea, Indonesia has formed the ASEAN security community with the aim of maintaining geopolitical stability in Southeast Asia, and strengthened its position by establishing a Composite Battalion in Natuna.
The Ministry of Defense and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) will continue to increase and strengthen military forces at the North Natuna Sea border to maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and anticipate any adverse possibilities. This step is taken in line with efforts to maintain harmonious relations between the Indonesian military and neighboring countries.
"Pancasila is the foothold, and the government is determined to take firm steps to maintain unity and tackle separatist movements in Papua," he said. (InfoPublik)