Indonesia's Political, Legal, and Security Coordinating Minister, Mahfud M. D., said that the Indonesian fishermen are doing a great national service by going to Natuna waters. (Image via Jawa Pos)

Indonesian fishermen should go to Natuna waters: Mahfud M. D.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mohammad Mahfud M. D., generally known as Mahfud M. D., supported the idea of mobilizing Indonesian fishermen to sail in North Natuna Sea as a response to the fish poaching and territorial breach by China.

Previously, Chinese fish boats guarded with Chinese coast guard frigate illicitly entered Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China claimed Natuna water is still within its Nine-Dash Lines. Mahfud referred to the poaching by the Chinese boats as an “intolerable, kleptomaniac behavior”.

Receiving dozens of fishermen in his office on Monday, Mahfud said that his Ministry will take care of the permission and facility and protection for the fishermen heading to seek for maritime resources around the area. Mahfud said that the fishermen dispatch to the area is a “form of national service”. Therefore, Indonesia gladly protects those fishermen.

As a matter of fact, besides routine patrol, mobilization of fishermen to Natuna waters has been a long-time mandate from President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, generally known as Jokowi.

Mahfud explained that Natuna waters are rich in maritime resources, housing a lot of exquisite, expensive fish. These maritime resources belong to Indonesian people according to international law; henceforth, Indonesia has the right to explore and exploit the area until 200m depths.

Mahfud hinted that the first group of 120 fishermen to depart to Natuna waters will be from the North Coast.

Source: https://bit.ly/2QsLan8