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Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) on board a warship to the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea next to minister Luhut B. Pandjaitan. Photo: Indonesian President Office

Published: 1:45pm, 22 Oct 2019Updated: 5:50pm, 6 Dec 2019

Former general Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs in President Joko Widodo’s first cabinet, sat down earlier this month with researchers from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore to offer his thoughts on the priorities and challenges for Widodo in his second term. The following are edited excerpts of the interview.

SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS

There were reports that a new naval base had been built in the Natuna Islands about a year ago. What is your view on how Indonesia should deal with maritime disputes, and what is the current threat level in the waters near the Natuna Islands?

Maritime dispute with whom? The current situation is no issue. The Natuna Islands are our territory. The development of a seaport in this area was a long-overdue programme. We did not have enough budget in the past. But now, budget is available. There are two things that we want to build. First, a seaport to support our fishing industry. Second, promote our coastguard capabilities in that area.

Are there still Chinese fishing vessels trying to approach Indonesian waters?

Not only Chinese fishing vessels but also others. If you don’t have personnel there, anybody can come over. We need to be present there and we should be active in guarding our area. If our fishermen are active in that area, there will be fewer foreign vessels coming in.

I think our position and our stance is clear: we support freedom of navigation. We do not want to see any power competition in the area. We want to make it clear that we have territorial integrity.