JAKARTA – Disputes in Luat South China have become hot lately. Head of the Marine Security Agency (Bakamla) Vice Admiral (Laksdya) TNI Aan Kurnia said that if an conflict escalates to an open war, there will be many big risks that will affect other regions.Indonesia, according to him, is one of the countries that has the potential to experience direct impacts or spill over. “There is a direct potential for damage and destruction to the Natuna region due to misdirected targets from countries involved in open warfare,” Aan said in the GMPI DPP discussion on ‘Bung Karno and Asia Pacific Geopolitics: Measuring the Dynamics of the South China Sea’ in Jakarta, Friday (26 / 6/2020) night. These conditions, he said, would have an impact on the exploitation and exploration of the sea in the region to a halt because the Natuna region was potentially localized. In addition, it will adversely affect the lives of people in the North Natuna region. The next condition also impacts by forcing Indonesia’s involvement in defending its sovereignty due to the conflict. The reason is because they are disturbed and isolated by residents in the Natuna region.“And of course another potential impact is the economic crisis due to the cessation of marine economic activities that are directly related to the South China Sea,” he said. Seeing there will be an impact on the China-United States conflict, Bakamla tried to offer a strategy in dealing with the situation. First, Indonesia must always hold joint operations between the TNI, especially the Navy, Bakamla, and also the KKP Ministry. Given, the CTF has the authority to arrive at the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “So, there must always be state symbols. So the presence of the sea continuously, selectively, this shows direct or indirect attention. But the important thing is that the symbols the state must be there, “he said. Secondly, Indonesia must also be able to utilize its own sea. So, not only claim Natuna’s waters belong to Indonesia, but also it should be present there. “Next are the roles of our friends in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There should be a trust building by sea. What do we do? Yes we have good relations with all parties involved in the conflict, and establish cooperation selectively, “he said. ***– .
