Observers alert Jokowi’s dream of capitalizing on LCS conflict

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –

ISESS military observers Khairul Fahmi said the government must immediately address various national issues, especially the management of border waters such as inNatuna, before taking part in the conflict South china sea.

Fahmi said the current sector egos in marine space management are quite high and are still happening. The government must be able to correct this sector ego in order to be able to deal with external problems.

Sector ego, according to Fahmi, can be overcome, one of them is by strengthening the rules and the legal umbrella. The authority of law enforcement and security at sea is another no less important issue.

“This is important so that the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the conflict (in the South China Sea) is not hampered by issues that may reduce influence and authority on the front lines,” said Fahmi when contacted. CNNIndonesia.com by SMS, Wednesday (07/29).

Fahmi’s statement was at the same time responding to President Joko Widodo who openly asked his staff to build momentum from the Covid-19 pandemic to outperform large countries. The shape, bureaucratic pruning is complicated so that it can move quickly.

Jokowi said the Covid-19 pandemic was having an impact on global economic growth that must be negative. It also has an impact on the development of global geopolitical conditions. For example, the hot and cold Sino-US relations, especially in the South China Sea.

Fahmi reminded Jokowibahwa that in a dispute in the South China Sea, there were many interested parties. Strong countries are involved in the dispute.

Indonesia’s efforts to seize the opportunity or take part in the dispute, according to Fahmi, will not have much impact as long as maritime issues remain dormant.

The active role of government can only be played after solving national maritime problems. Against the background of the impact of the Natuna dispute. Fahmi said that after settling domestic issues, Defense Minister Prabowo Subiantodan and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudibisa could sit down together to discuss the defense diplomacy agenda.

“Here, I think the foreign minister and the defense minister need to seriously discuss whether to implement a ‘defense diplomacy’ program,” Fahmi said.

Fahmi called the approach of defense diplomacy necessary as the intensity of tensions between China and the United States escalated in the South China Sea. In addition, in the territorial waters of Indonesia also has sovereign rights, specifically in the waters of Natuna or North Natuna Sea.

Defense diplomacy is also important taking into account that Indonesia’s defense forces have not been maximized.

“In terms of strength and defense capability, we really can’t pretend we’re at the max level, but that doesn’t mean there is no chance that can be tried,” he said. .

China’s claims to most of the South China Sea territorial waters have once again warmed the disputed territory. The United States even recently deployed its combat fleet to the region.

China firmly claims its sovereignty over the South China Sea on the basis of the imaginary nine lines. On the other side of the United States, it is in the interest of the South China Sea but becomes an international waterway.

This conflict involves a number of countries which have direct contacts with the South China Sea region. Among others the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, including Indonesia.

The territory of Indonesia which is close to the South China Sea dispute is that of Natuna Waters. However, the head of the Maritime Safety Agency, Admiral Aan Kurnia, said it was difficult to address the issues in the Natuna region due to the overlap of rules between institutions and ministries.

Another obstacle is the limitation of the security fleet. Aan revealed that currently Bakamlahanya has 10 large ships. Although Bakamla has to patrol the whole region.

Additional shipments cannot be made immediately as Bakamlatak has great authority and cannot offer to purchase large ships.

(tst / wis)

[Gambas:Video CNN]