Understanding The South China Sea Conflict as An Indonesian Maritime Security Threat On Natuna Sea

The South China Sea conflict is a dispute between the claimant states (countries that recognize) namely Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, with the PRC (People's Republic of China) which claims the nine points of an imaginary line or the Nine-Dash Line which is based on a map. The history of China in the South China Sea, which is in contact with or geographically located in the EEZ of the claimant state. The claimant states recognise the sovereignty of the maritime area and the Exclusive Economic Zone of their country. Then, in this area, there are also two islands called the Paracel Islands and the Spartan Islands which are also contested. In addition to disputes related to maritime territorial claims and sovereignty, the South China Sea itself has a fairly large potential and this is another factor that influences the problem.

The South China Sea has marine natural potential such as rich in oil and gas. The area is strategic where it connects the trade routes of sea lanes from Asia, and Europe, to the United States, which is a sea lane crossing for international trading ships. The abundance of potential in this region provides promising opportunities for rapid economic growth. In addition to the People's Republic of China, the United States also seems to want to influence this region because of the abundant potential of the South China Sea. 

Even though it is a non-claimant state over the South China Sea area, Indonesia has an indirect relationship and role to this issue. Because the territorial waters of the North Natuna archipelago are touched by China's nine-dash line, its position is in the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone owned by Indonesia. Indonesia since March 18, 1980, has proposed a maritime area as far as 200 miles from the Natuna base to the United Nations. Of course, this action is very influential because it underlies the rights and power of Indonesia in maintaining its sovereignty. As has been explained, Indonesia along with the claimant states oppose China's recognition of the SCS historical map as the basis for the nine-dash line, which actually opposes the law of the sea and international law.

The South China Sea Conflict as a Threat to the Indonesian Maritime Region

The concept of maritime security through the maritime border protector approach can explain how serious the threat to Indonesia's maritime territory is due to the South China Sea conflict. This approach explains that a country makes efforts to protect its territory or maritime zone and the sovereignty of its country. The concept of security with a maritime border protection approach is certainly a concept that is applied by all countries. In its application, for this reason, each country must comply with the jurisdiction and agreed with territorial boundaries, which are pegged by the Law of the Sea Convention or UNCLOS 1982. Then comply with the Exclusive Economic Zone regime, where it is known that the boundary of this zone is 200 miles from the line. the coast of every country. (Rahman 2009). Furthermore, this approach examines the development and protection of the region in a country and the need for strategic and good national and international coordination. 

In addition, Indonesia must strive for security and protection of the maritime area and the things in it such as infrastructure, the economy, the environment, and society from actions that can endanger these aspects (Klein 2011). As explained by the United Nations, threats that can disrupt maritime security include piracy and armed piracy, the threat of terrorism, arms trade which can invite users of armed trafficking which will result in the illegal distribution of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction, drug and psychotropic trafficking, human trafficking. , illegal fishing, and damage to the marine environment.

The maritime security threats that occur related to this conflict are like fishermen on the border, precisely in the Natuna area. The fishermen there are frank that they feel anxious and afraid of the existence of Chinese warships that continue to roam in the area. Then, the fishermen are often instructed to go to the mainland by coastguard ships belonging to China. This is certainly very disturbing to the activities of fishermen who are actually working to make a living in the area. The government must carry out periodic and routine protection in the area so that the concerns of the local community can be minimized, especially to fulfil their livelihoods. Other threats, such as illegal fishing in the Natuna area, are accompanied by the Chinese government's defence. The Chinese government admits that the actions taken by its fishermen are legal because the area is an area of the South China Sea and of course, it is still within its territory. In fact, the area touched by these fishermen is the 200-mile EEZ of Indonesia. Then, the appeal given by the Chinese side to Indonesia to stop oil and gas processing in the Natuna Sea was not carried out once. 

Indonesia in facing this threat looks good in responding to it. Strong institutions such as the Indonesian Navy's National Armed Forces, which of course simultaneously with the government in responding to this threat, are able to minimize the threat. This can be seen when illegal fishing in the Natuna region is responded to with regular patrols in the border area, in order to tighten security and ensure the security of local fishermen to safely and peacefully carry out their activities again. The Indonesian government also urges fishermen to continue to be productive in the area so that foreign fishermen know their limits. In addition, the Indonesian Navy also seeks regular and periodic patrols to ensure security related to illegal fishing by Chinese fishermen and of course coupled with Indonesia's diplomatic relations with China. Furthermore, China's call for a stop to Indonesia, the Indonesian government explicitly said to continue drilling in the area because the area is Indonesia's right. 

The author sees how firm Indonesia is in dealing with this problem. However, looking at the way China is adamant and seems to be inflexible about the maritime area that has been authorized based on UNCLOS 1982, the author understands that this is a serious matter where the potential for threats like this may occur again if the Chinese government does not consciously accept that the area is a territory. Indonesian maritime law, and its actions are against international law of the sea. In addition, seeing that Indonesia's potential is very rich, especially in catching fish which will confiscate the income of local fishermen and the anxiety that may be caused by the Chinese coastguard incident and illegal fishing will slow down and affect the productivity of Indonesian fishermen. Although Indonesia's diplomacy with China in other fields is well monitored and continues to develop, the need for firmness to continue to warn China through this diplomatic relationship will also help. Besides warning, it is also necessary to make an agreement considering Indonesia's position is threatened and not a claimant state. This action is to protect and fight for Indonesia's sovereignty along with the rights, wealth, and interests of the affected surrounding communities.

What to conclude?

Indonesia has rich natural potential, is very diverse, and has a strategic position. This is an opportunity for a threat to occur. China's acknowledgement of the nine-dash line as the cause of this conflict is burdensome for the claimant state and Indonesia, where the impact can be felt in Indonesian territory directly. China's assumption becomes as if it is true that, in reality, it is against the international law of the sea. China can't fight enough if it is only based on historical maps. Threats such as illegal fishing and worrying local fishers are certainly one of the problems in maritime security. For this reason, maritime security efforts must continue to be carried out and understand that this threat is serious. The potential for it to occur again is possible if China is still uncompromising in its stance.

References

Ardiyanti, D. (2018). Indonesia sebagai Poros Maritim Dunia: Tantangan dan Peluang Keamanan dan Ekonomi Era Jokowi. Resolusi: Jurnal Sosial Politik, 1(2), 132--145. https://ojs.unsiq.ac.id/index.php/resolusi/article/view/290

CNN Indonesia. (2022). Sejarah Konflik Laut China Selatan yang Jadi Rebutan - Halaman 2. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20220511135122-118-795477/sejarah-konflik-laut-china-selatan-yang-jadi-rebutan/2

Gumelar, T. A. (2022). Merespon Gangguan China di Laut Natuna Utara Harus Tepat Waktu: Indonesia Butuh Mekanisme Ini - Zona Jakarta - Halaman 3. https://zonajakarta.pikiran-rakyat.com/teknologi/pr-184684369/merespon-gangguan-china-di-laut-natuna-utara-harus-tepat-waktu-indonesia-butuh-mekanisme-ini?page=3