Indonesia has long received international recognition of the North Natuna Sea since the adoption of the UNCLOS on December 10, 1928, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Natuna, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Tensions escalated in North Natuna Sea in the third week of October when a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel made multiple unauthorized incursions into Indonesian territorial waters.

After detecting the Chinese ship, the Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) immediately deployed the KN Tanjung Datu 301 patrol ship assisted by the Indonesian naval warship KRI Sutedi Senoputra-378 to expel the foreign ship.

The Chinese vessel not only entered the jurisdiction of Indonesian waters but also disrupted the Arwana 3D Seismic survey and data processing activities carried out in the North Natuna Sea by PT Pertamina East Natuna using the MV Geo Coral ship.

Through radio communication, the CCG ship crew members justified their presence in the sea as they were patrolling an area they self-claimed was under China's jurisdiction based on the “nine-dash line.”

Meanwhile, based on UNCLOS 1982, Indonesia's jurisdiction—especially the Indonesian continental shelf in the North Natuna Sea—has received international recognition where Indonesia has sovereign rights to exploit and explore natural resources in that area without being disturbed by any country.

UNCLOS is an international maritime law that regulates the authority of coastal and archipelagic states over maritime areas. This maritime law was formed by an agreement of the United Nations.

Indonesia has long received international recognition of the North Natuna Sea since the adoption of the UNCLOS on December 10, 1928, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

UNCLOS emphasizes Indonesia’s right to expel any ship that does not have permission to pass through or operate in the North Natuna Sea.

Basically, the convention's signing was not intended to restrict other nations' activities in the North Natuna Sea, but rather, to regulate current and future maritime issues.

Commander of KN Tanjung Datu 301, Colonel Bakamla Rudi Endratmoko, emphasized that referring to UNCLOS 1982, the North Natuna Sea is clearly under Indonesia's jurisdiction.

He stated that the expulsion of the foreign vessel as carried out by Bakamla and Indonesian Navy patrol ships was not an easy job.

Although the security guard and defense guard ships in the Indonesian seas have cannons, machine guns, and other sophisticated equipment, the expulsion was still have to be carried out without resorting to violence.

As mandated by the state, they only carried out deterrence and avoided conflict using weapons.

KN Tanjung Datu 301 personnel expelled the CCG ship via radio communication by appealing to them to leave Indonesia's jurisdiction.

The effort was successful as the Chinese vessel left the Indonesian waters.

However, after some time, the CCG ship re-entered the North Natuna Sea and again insisted that it was patrolling China’s jurisdiction.

In fact, the Chinese ship personnel tried to expel Bakamla’s KN Pulau Dana 323 which was patrolling at that time, replacing the KN Tanjung Datu 301.

KN Tanjung Datu 301 patrol ship, which later returned to North Natuna to fill logistics, helped expel the CCG ship—in an attempt that was also successful.

The CCG ship, yet undeterred, returned again to North Natuna, thereby forcing Indonesia to conduct expulsion operations thrice during October 2024.

In the third incident, the Indonesian patrol ship was also asked to withdraw from the waters they claimed.

Finally, the KN Tanjung Dana 323 patrol ship, along with Indonesian naval ships KRI Sutedi Senaputra-378 and KRI Bontang-907, managed to expel the CCG ship.



Tightened

Considering the survey conducted by PT Pertamina East Natuna—which has been granted the rights to manage the large natural gas field in the area—the sea and its surroundings are closely monitored by Indonesian authorities.

The effort was carried out on direct orders from Bakamla to ensure the safety of PT Pertamina East Natuna personnel in doing their jobs as well as to maintain the country's sovereignty on the border with other countries.

To optimize the security of the North Natuna Sea, Bakamla patrol ships and Indonesian naval ships were ordered to dock in Natuna Regency, precisely at the Sabang Mawang Navy Post, to make it easier for them to do their duty.

While docked, the personnel of KN Tanjung Datu 301 especially conducted various activities, such as removing rust from the ship, coloring, or repainting the ship.

They also carried out social services, such as providing toys for students in local early childhood education institutions, painting kindergarten buildings, as well as conducting “open ship” activity for the public to visit.

Tasks beyond the realm of sea security are carried out by Bakamla personnel to introduce the institution to the public, as well as to arouse the interest of young people to become civil servants through the maritime security agency.

Foreign fishing vessels

In addition to CCG ships, foreign fishing vessels were also seen operating in the North Natuna Sea—especially when the waters were hit by extreme weather, high waves, or strong winds.

Foreign fishing vessels have more freedom to plunder fisheries during such conditions due to the lack of activity of Indonesian fishermen in the waters, including the presence of patrol vessels, as high waves make it difficult for ships to operate.

In extreme weather conditions, which usually occur from September to December every year, foreign fishing vessels seem to rule the sea.

In the four months at the end of the year, waves in the North Natuna Sea area can reach four to five meters in height.

However, it is not uncommon, in other months, for foreign vessels to also come and meet Indonesian fishermen.

The presence of foreign fishing vessels in the North Natuna Sea disrupts the livelihoods of fishermen, as the fishing gear they use is very different.

Indonesian fishermen use fishing rods, while foreign vessels are suspected of using prohibited fishing gear, which once used, can catch a lot of fish and damage the marine ecosystem.

Although Indonesian fishermen's equipment is less sophisticated than foreign vessels, their presence in the North Natuna Sea also has its own meaning in protecting Indonesian waters from foreign vessels.

Fishermen can serve as valuable partners in maritime security by collaborating with Bakamla officers, alerting them to the presence of foreign vessels in the sea area bordering other countries.


Related news: Indonesia again expels China coast guard ship from Natuna Sea
Related news: China coast guard ship again expelled from North Natuna Sea
Related news: Three navy vessels join combat preparedness drill in North Natuna Sea

Translator: Muhamad Nurman, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2024