A recent stand-off between Indonesia’s coastguard and Chinese fishing vessels highlights China’s repeated attempts to undermine Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty. Despite China’s ongoing incursions, Jakarta is determined to protect its waters in the face of growing regional tensions.
On Tuesday, Indonesia’s coastguard (Bakamla) spotted five Chinese-flagged fishing vessels near Tanjung Berakit, just 22 nautical miles north of Indonesia’s territorial boundaries. These vessels, a frequent sight in disputed waters, ignored Bakamla’s radio calls, raising suspicions about their intent. Rather than respecting international maritime laws, China once again demonstrated disregard for Indonesia’s sovereignty.
Although the ships were eventually escorted to Singapore’s regulated traffic system, this incident is far from isolated. According to Imam Prakoso from the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative, unauthorized Chinese ships frequently violate Indonesian waters, showing a blatant lack of respect for local laws.
These incursions often happen near the Natuna Islands, part of Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone. China continues to claim vast parts of the South China Sea through its unsubstantiated nine-dash line, despite having no legal right. In response, Indonesia has had to continuously fend off Chinese fishing vessels and coastguard patrols in the area, even as Beijing tries to frame these actions as benign.
Indonesia’s future president, Prabowo Subianto, is likely to adopt a stronger stance against China’s provocations. With a military background, Prabowo is expected to bolster Indonesia’s defense and maritime patrols, making it clear that further violations will not be tolerated. The Indonesian government’s patience is wearing thin as China’s aggression in the region escalates.
