Indonesia ups military presence in Natuna Islands

JAKARTA — Indonesia is beefing up its military presence in the Natuna Islands cluster in the South China Sea following the seizure of a Chinese fishing vessel suspected of illegally fishing in Indonesian territorial waters, in another sign that it is stepping up efforts to push back against maritime incursions.

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu revealed plans to deploy three more frigate ships, a fighter jet, drones and radar to the islands, on top of sending in an army battalion and special forces from the Navy and the Air Force.

“Once we have active (troops) in the area, I hope there will be no more incidents like the one we had on Friday,” the Jakarta Globe quoted Mr Ryacudu as saying in reference to the incident where an Indonesian frigate had intercepted a Chinese fishing vessel carrying 500 tonnes of fish after it was suspected of fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.

Despite repeated radio contact and warning shots fired into the air and water, the Chinese boat tried to escape into international waters, reported the Jakarta Globe. It only stopped after the Indonesian Navy fired a warning shot across its bow. Eight people were arrested, said Major Josdy Damopoli, a spokesman for Indonesia’s Fourth Naval Base in Tanjungpinang.

The incident prompted China to lodge a protest with Indonesia, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular news briefing. “China and Indonesia have different opinions on the waters where the incident took place. The Chinese fishing boat was conducting normal production operation in the waters,” she said.

“The Chinese side has lodged solemn representations with the Indonesian side. The two sides are communicating and consulting with each other on how to handle the issue.”

Indonesia has been stepping up its military presence in the Natuna Islands since April, deploying new patrol boats and special forces troops, in light of an altercation with China the month before.

Last March, an Indonesian patrol boat tried to detain a Chinese fishing vessel which Jakarta claimed had been operating without a permit. But as the Indonesian authorities tried to tow it to shore, a Chinese coast guard vessel appeared and rammed the captured boat, helping it to go free, promoting Jakarta to lodge a furious protest with Beijing. AGENCIES