When Chinese vessels encroached upon the strategic waters near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands during the early days of President Joko Widodo’s administration, he took an unusual step by convening a cabinet meeting aboard a warship stationed in the vicinity. In a powerful gesture of defiance, he left behind a written message for the crew: “Defend Indonesia.”
The 1,200-kilometre voyage from Jakarta to Indonesia’s northern island chain in 2016 was not only a remarkable display of leadership but also a potent reaffirmation of Indonesia’s territorial rights. This action was seen at the time as Indonesia’s most assertive challenge to China regarding the contentious South China Sea, a vital waterway that facilitates over a third of the world’s maritime trade. Despite a 2016 United Nations tribunal ruling that refuted Beijing’s claims, China continues to assert dominion over much of this critical area.
Fast forward eight years since that significant tribunal ruling and the warship cabinet meeting, Prabowo Subianto, who has just taken office, faces immediate challenges involving Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. His tenure has been underway for merely one week.
Just last Monday, a Chinese coastguard ship initiated harassment of an Indonesian vessel operating off the Natunas, an area within Indonesia’s designated exclusive economic zone. Although Indonesian forces successfully intervened and drove the Chinese ship away, the provocations did not cease; the coastguard returned for further confrontations on Wednesday and again on Friday.
The Chinese vessels were reportedly tailing a ship from Indonesia’s state-owned energy giant, PT Pertamina, as it carried out crucial seismic surveys of the abundant seabed in the area. According to Bakamla, Indonesia’s maritime security agency, this segment of the South China Sea is resource-rich, yet China categorically refuses to recognize Indonesia’s territorial claims.
Prabowo Subianto, seen waving to supporters after being inaugurated as Indonesia’s eighth president in Jakarta, preaches a foreign policy philosophy of “one thousand friends too few, one enemy too many.” However, the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands have emerged as a contentious point between Indonesia and China.
While Chinese vessels occasionally venture into Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone for fishing or other activities, the frequency of such intrusions remains somewhat ambiguous. Joko Widodo, having made a bold statement back in 2016, adopted a more subdued approach as time passed.
However, the recent spate of incidents has reignited concerns and garnered widespread attention. Bakamla even released video footage and audio recordings of the confrontations, further escalating the situation.
