A map showing the northern waters of the Natuna Islands (Photo: Reuters) Jakarta (VNA) – Ministries and agencies of theIndonesian Government have continually held meetings over the last few days followingChina’s entry into the Southeast Asian country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal andSecurity Affairs Mahfud MD chaired a closed meeting at this ministry’sheadquarters on January 3.
The meeting’s content was not publicised, butinformation sources confirmed that the event was to discuss measures to copewith China’s claims over the waters near the Natuna Islands.
Issues on the northern waters of Natuna becamethe Indonesian Government’s concern after the country’s authorised forcesdiscovered many fishing boats escorted by China’s coast guard vesselstrespassing Indonesia’s EEZ.
In the face of this situation, many opinions inthe Indonesian parliament called for a maritime security law to be adopted andthe Indonesian Maritime Security Agency’s jurisdiction to be enhanced to defendthe country’s waters against China’s activities./.
VNA
