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Indonesia Defence Forum

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i am rarely see Indonesian army units hold those kind of Rifle
Good thing I don't like these Guns and which unit is this ?
 
‘Thousand Friends’ Policy No More Under Retno
By Jakarta Globe on 12:45 am Oct 30, 2014

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Retno Marsudi, newly appointed foreign minister, speaks to the media at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Oct. 26, 2014. (Reuters Photo/Darren Whiteside)

Jakarta. Indonesia’s first female foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, confirms predictions that the country’s foreign policy under President Joko Widodo will be directed toward supporting the national interest rather than maintaining or expanding previous administration’s international activism.

Speaking in her first press conference on Wednesday, Retno said “pro-people” diplomacy would be the soul of Indonesia’s foreign policy, a shift in focus from former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s principle of “thousand friends, zero enemies” — which was translated into the country’s increasing presence and roles in international forums.

“Indonesia’s foreign policy must be down-to-earth; it should not be detached from the people’s interests,” Retno said. “Therefore, the kind of diplomacy that the Foreign Ministry will do is a pro-people diplomacy, diplomacy for the people.”

Pro-people diplomacy, she explained, should pave the way for more economic opportunities for Indonesians abroad.

To explore such opportunities, Indonesian diplomats stationed overseas will be expected to perform “ blusukan ,” a trademark activity of President Joko, which is loosely translates into impromptu visits to the constituents by state officials.

“We need a change of mindset among Indonesian diplomats, aimed at making us more active in doing economic diplomacy,” the former Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands said. “Indonesian diplomats, including ambassadors, must also perform ‘blusukan.’ ”

Through such impromptu visits, Indonesian missions overseas are expected to be able to send to the home country information concerning potential business opportunities in other countries.

“And then we’ll be able to give clear guidelines [as to what to do] to Indonesian representative offices [overseas].”

Retno said, though, that she did not know yet if the new foreign policy would mean higher costs.

“We hope the budget will be enough. Anyway, we in the Foreign Ministry have been used to working with [budget constraints]. That’s what being a diplomat is, to fight,” she said. “We can lobby to develop our links. We’ll optimize what we have.”

By serving the needs of the people, inside the country and outside, Indonesia will hopefully transform into a great nation, Retno said.

Indonesian diplomatic missions are also expected to step up protection of Indonesian citizens overseas, which, under the Yudhoyono administration, has been largely considered a failure, citing the many cases of violence — some of them fatal — involving Indonesian migrant workers in countries including Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether they are victims or perpetrators that are facing the death penalty.

“We will really do our best for Indonesian citizens. We haven’t thought of structural changes to improve the protection; but we will optimize existing units through internal coordination,” Retno said.

She added that the ministry’s director general for the protection of Indonesian citizens and the legal bureau would still be tasked with the issue.

Retno further added with President Joko’s firm direction concerning the issue, coordination with other relevant state institutions were expected to improve.

Rizal Sukma, a foreign-policy expert who was actively involved in composing Joko’s foreign-policy platform, added on Wednesday that the new foreign minister was also expected to put more attention on bilateral relations, which would directly benefit Indonesia rather than multilateral processes.

‘Firmer’ Indonesia

Retno said Indonesia would show a firmer stance in dealing with diplomatic disputes, such as the wiretapping scandal implicating Australia and border disputes with the archipelago’s Southeast Asian neighbors.

Border negotiations and settlements will continue to be among the Foreign Ministry’s priority programs.

“Being firm doesn’t always mean being confrontational. I’ll try not to be confrontational. Our firmness will be intended to help us reach our goals,” Retno said.

“To uphold our political sovereignty, what we must do is preserve the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. We’ll do this firmly and clearly.”

International relations expert Hikmahanto Juwana agrees with Retno’s pledge to develop a firm diplomatic stance.

He added, though, that it should be like Joko’s style of leadership — firm demeanor combined with pro-people policies.

“[With that], Foreign Minister Retno should be able to change the mindset of officials in Indonesian representative offices overseas,” said the University of Indonesia professor of international law.

Hikmahanto added, however, that Retno’s specialty in American and European affairs should not make her “more accommodative” toward the two regions’ interests.

Before heading Indonesia’s diplomatic mission in the Netherlands, Retno served as the Foreign Ministry’s director general for America and Europe. Prior to that, she served as the Indonesian ambassador to Norway and Iceland.

Hikmahanto praised the diplomatic credentials of Retno, who began her diplomatic career in 1986, upon graduating from Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University’s School of International Relations.

“In the bureaucracy, she has been unstoppable, continuing to rise with her career,” he said.

But Foreign policy observer Bantarto Bandoro of the Indonesia Defense University reminded Retno not to neglect Indonesia’s international diplomacy that may not directly concern Indonesia.

In his opinion piece published in the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday, Bantarto compares Retno to her predecessor, Marty Natalegawa, who has been widely credited for building “an impressive legacy” in the form of Indonesia’s expanding international roles and reputation during his five years in office.

“The job of foreign minister is not only about putting the country’s bilateral relations back in order, but it is also about how Indonesia, under the new government, would continue to adhere to the belief that it needs to continue its international role, despite the possibility of fresh domestic flash points resulting from possible clashes of political interest,” Bantarto wrote.

He added that Retno should also not forget Joko’s goals of turning Indonesia into a so-called global maritime axis — which the president has immediately translated into setting up a new coordinating ministry, the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs.

“What is more important for Retno is how she will inject maritime elements into her ministry’s agenda in a way that reflects Joko’s aspiration to turn Indonesia into a maritime axis,” Bantarto said.

Further Coverage

Editorial: A Pragmatic Foreign Policy, With Idealism

‘Thousand Friends’ Policy No More Under Retno - The Jakarta Globe
 
INTERVIEW
Gen. (ret) Ryamizard Ryacudu: I'm Loud If Faced With The Enemy Harm State
Thursday, October 30, 2014, 08:08:00 pm

Harian Rakyat Merdeka

GENERAL (ret) Ryamizard Ryacudu


RMOL. Secretary of Defense (SecDef) Ryamizard Ryacudu ensure no boundaries Indonesian annexation by neighboring countries.

He will do an intense communication with neighboring countries, such as Malaysia to discuss the boundary of the region.

It was announced during a meeting by Ryamizard with Rakyat Merdeka in Jakarta, yesterday.

Here's an excerpt of the interview:

You will go to Malaysia?
Yes. We will be prepared in the near future and it is not only Malaysia but also other neighboring countries will be visited. The goal is to maintain the relationship between the state and sovereignty.

Communication like?
I came to talk to the problem boundaries. Includes two island once he claimed that Sipadan and Ligitan. Each country has to know where the boundary region.

What are you going to get tough with Malaysia?
If you can gently why should hard. I was known hard when faced with an enemy or rebels who endanger the sovereignty of the state and the nation.

In addition to the boundary, let alone to be addressed?
We will make use of a major modernization of weapons systems (defense equipment) and improve the welfare of the soldiers. By doing so, defense and homeland security will be maintained.

What is the condition of defense equipment now?
Alutsista we are good enough, not inferior to the neighboring countries and do not attempt to shame.

We are already working with Korea to make the plane. Hopefully the plane will be great, at least equal to the F 16 aircraft belonging to the United States. Once we buy, are now working together fifty-fifty (50-50). Going forward we have expert technology and is able to develop the domestic industry.

Domestic industry would be an advantage in the modernization of defense equipment?
Yes the defense industry will prioritize domestic production. For example, PT Air Indonesia (PTDI) and PT Pindad. We must be self-contained. Must stand alone.

Examples of the type of defense equipment additions like?
We plan to add eight helicopters, whether brand Apache or Black House. If now there are only 16 US-made Apache helicopters. However, all that will be coordinated first at the Army (AD).

That's it?
The addition of the radar will be done. Because as a country is very important maritime radar to detect the presence of sea in Indonesia.

What do you think the next largest acaman for Indonesia what the heck?
Acts of terrorism is still a threat to the world, including in Indonesia

Why?
Due to a lack of understanding of the community. Plus economic factors. The role of Muslims is important, including MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council). I will coordinate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Education.

Insights nationality and religion should be good. Because Indonesia is a great nation.

What is the message President Jokowi for you?
He asked that no sectoral ego in the lead in ministry. All should be done together for the benefit of the people. ***



Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu: Military Modernization Proceed according to TNI Strategic Plan .


Latest News | 2014-10-28 09:03:39 | Viewed 116 times

Jakarta, DMC- strong a commitment of all components. In that regard, the defense became one of the areas that are important to ensure the existence and survival of the nation.

Besides the development of Human Resources (HR) defense forces, as well demanding the fulfillment of the needs of modern defense equipment necessary to carry out military duties optimally. Alutsista military modernization program will be continued and implemented according to the strategic plan that has been determined.

As stated by the Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu as official newly appointed Defence Minister in the Cabinet of the President of Work by Joko Widodo Release event welcomes Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Monday (27/10) at the Ministry of Defence, Jakarta.

The event was attended by Navy Chief Admiral Marsetio, TNI chief Ade Supandi Laksdya TNI, TNI Marsdya Wakasau Good Puruhito, SE, MM, Wakasad Lt. Gen. M Munir, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Prabowo Ediwan R., S. Ip, TNI Inspector General Marsdya Ismono Vitello and echelon I and II in the Ministry of Defense.

Further SecDef Ryamizard Ryacudu said, in addition to continuing military defense equipment modernization program and enhance the readiness and capability of human resources development of the defense forces in the face of global competition, the defense industry development programs must also continue to be supported.

According to him, under the leadership of Mr. Yusgiantoro, the Ministry of Defense had been able to carry out his duties very well. This is evident from the very significant progress that has been achieved Kemhan in manufacturing various development policies of national defense capabilities. Modernization Alutsista the TNI to be one proof of the success of the Ministry of Defense in Indonesia memuwujudkan strong.

In the future, the Ministry of Defense will continue to strive to make innovations in the implementation of state defense. It is adapted to the challenges facing the multi-complex and is believed to be asymmetrical.

"Most likely there will be some adjustments to policies and programs that synergized with direction and keijaksanaan new government. This course is intended to further strengthen the implementation of state defense towards the realization of Indonesia's strong and respected both regionally and globally, "he added.

Further, he said that the Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu upcoming tasks requires the hard work of all parties. Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasis on hard work in completing the tasks of nationality, that's the spirit of determination and work ethic coloring in the Ministry of Defense.

Cooperation and hard work should also synergy between the Ministry of Defense with other relevant agencies. Coordination and synergy with the TNI and the Police Force Headquarters should be improved. "To the Armed Forces Commander and Chief of Naval Staff, I expect the support and co-operation that has been going very well in order to be maintained and enhanced," he added.

Likewise, coordination and cooperation with the Commission I will continue to be built and improved. "In addition, the support, assistance and cooperation of all citizens of the Ministry of Defense in carrying out programs of the Ministry of Defense. With a coherent and solid partnership program - the program can run well, I believe it ", he added.
 
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Indonesian Military Thread seems to be more colorful and refresing than others......:partay:
 
TIME: Perubahan sikap Indonesia dalam menjaga airspacenya.
31-10-2014 21:11
New Indonesian President Jokowi Talks Tough With Fading Power Australia

Indonesia's newfound chest-thumping may simply be a fledgling administration's efforts to win domestic approval, but is nonetheless indicative of shifting powers in the region

Two days before his Oct. 20 inauguration, new Indonesian President Joko Widodo, gave Australia a stern warning not to test the territorial sovereignty of the world’s largest archipelago.

“We will give a warning that this is not acceptable,” Jokowi, as he is widely known, told Fairfax Media in reference to half a dozen incursions into Indonesian waters last year by Australian navy ships turning back boats full of predominantly Middle Eastern asylum seekers. “We have international law, you must respect international law.”

Bolstering Jokowi’s message, Indonesia’s new Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi — the first ever female in the role — confirmed on Wednesday a departure from former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s principle of “thousandfriends, zero enemies” to national interests first.

“To uphold our political sovereignty, what we must do is preserve the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Retno said at her first press conference. “We’ll do this firmly and clearly.”

The interception one day earlier of a Singaporean passenger aircraft over a well-traveled flight path that cuts through Indonesian airspace may be indicative of Jakarta’s new hard-line stance. Indonesian fighter jets forced the aircraft to land and pay a $4,900 fine — despite protestation from the Singaporean owner, ST Aerospace, that it had been using the route for a number of years without the need for prior clearance from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

However, these messages must be read within the context of Indonesia’s time-honored political melodrama, where tough talk against meddling foreign powers is par for the course. It’s also an easy and predictable way for new administration to score political points on the home front. “I think Jokowi’s warning to Australia was made for domestic consumption rather that advocating a nationalistic tone in foreign policy,” says Philips Vermonte, head of international relations at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta.

Indeed, Jokowi’s apparent double standards when dealing with Chinese incursions in the fish- and gas-rich waters of the Natuna Islands, on the northwest coast of Indonesian Borneo, seems to demonstrate diplomatic nuance rather than a new era of nationalistic fervor.

As recently as March 2013, armed Chinese ships bullied Indonesian patrol boats into releasing Chinese fisherman caught trawling illegally near Natuna. China has also included parts of the waters around Natuna within its so-called nine-dash line — its vague southern maritime boundary, adding Indonesia to the long list of countries it’s dueling with over aggressive claims to some 90% of the South China Sea.

In April, Indonesia’s armed-forces chief General Moeldoko penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal promising to strengthen Indonesian forces on Natuna and prepare fighter jets to meet “any eventuality.”

But two months later, during a presidential-election debate in June, Jokowi claimed Indonesia had no beef with China. In later interviews he adroitly turned the burning strategic problem with China on its head, suggesting Indonesia could serve as an “honest broker” vis-a-vis the Middle Kingdom’s disputes with other countries in the South China Sea.

This should not, however, be understood to mean the new Indonesian administration will be pushovers. Its soft stance on overlapping territorial claims with China is obviously linked to the fact that China is Indonesia’s second largest export trading partner. Australia, meanwhile, barely makes the top 10.

The lesson, it seems, more concerns shifting regional power than newfound Indonesian belligerence. “Australia needs to understand that Indonesia’s place in the world is growing, while it is not,”
 adds Professor Tim Lindsey, director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society at the Melbourne Law School. By current estimates, he adds, Indonesia will have world’s seventh largest economy in around a decade and the fifth largest by 2050. “Australia’s current policies of turning back the boats doesn’t seem to factor in any of that at all,” says Lindsey.

“I think Australia would be advised to take [Jokowi’s latest about naval incursions] warning very seriously, and that it would be unwise to look at it in narrow terms by saying, ‘Their navy is very small so it’s not a valid threat,’” opines Antje Missbach, a research fellow at Monash University’s School of Social Sciences in Melbourne. “There are many ways Indonesia could make a point without involving its navy.”

Moreover, she adds, “Look what happened last time Australia offended them,” referring to when Indonesia recalled its ambassador to Australia for six months following revelations by NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden that Australia had spied on Yudhoyono and his wife.

Speaking to TIME, Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says, “It is not the government’s policy to incur Indonesia’s waters” and blames past incursions on the opposition government it replaced following the September 2013 general elections. “[We're] working closely with the new government of Indonesia on people-smuggling issues and we are optimistic about initial responses,” Morrison says.

Optimism is one thing; keeping out of your neighbor’s backyard is another altogether.

— With reporting by Yenni Kwok

Indonesia: New President Jokowi Promises Tougher Line With Australia
 
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Indonesian Police Department conduct public exhibition in Maluku province, as part of education and a bid to make them much more closer with people especially students

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A police woman explaining the weapons used by Indonesian Police departments to student at Public Exhibition, Saturday 1/11/2014 in Maluku.
 
Widodo Aims To Diversify Indonesia’s Defense Partnerships, Reduce Foreign Tech Imports
Source : Bindiya Thomas ~ Dated : Monday, October 20, 2014 @ 01:15 PM

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Widodo Aims To Diversify Indonesia’s Defense Partnerships, Reduce Foreign Tech Imports

Indonesia under President Joko Widodo may see a diversification of defence partners to achieve cost-effective procurement and develop local industry.

Earlier this month, Indonesia decided to buy into the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s (DAPA) new mid-level fighter jet program.

Indonesia has typically relied on the US, Russia and Brazil for fighter aircraft and its new partnership with S. Korea indicates its readiness to find a regional partner to help achieve long-term military goals.

Jakarta has reportedly agreed to fund development costs up to 20 percent for the program worth an estimated $8 billion. A DAPA statement said it had signed an agreement with the Indonesian ministry of defense to develop the KF-X or Boramae fighter, which Seoul plans to deploy for operations around 2025.

Meanwhile, with the military budget set to grow Indonesian Military Commander General Moeldoko told local media that the air force is leaning toward the Su-35 as their F-5 replacement, with the JAS-39 in 2nd place and the F-16 a distant 3rd.

Indonesia’s defense procurement has grown significantly with a contract awarded recently to Airbus DS to provide its Air Force with the latest aircraft identification and air surveillance equipment earlier this year.

The company was awarded the contract by SBL Star Technology Pte Ltd., Singapore, to deliver two of its monopulse secondary surveillance radars MSSR 2000 I to equip the mobile air surveillance and tracking systems which will be operated by the Indonesian Air Force. The final delivery will be done beginning of next year.

Earlier this year the Indonesian Ministry of Defense took delivery of Rosoboronexport-built 37 BMP-3F vehicles, and will join 17 in-service models.

The first batch of Russian infantry fighting vehicles was given to Jakarta as part of a billion-dollar loan to Indonesia by the Russian state, signed September 6, 2007, during a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Indonesian capital.

The infantry fighting vehicles ordered by Indonesia arrived at its main naval base in the Javanese city of Surabaya in November 2010.

A new contract to buy 37 more Russian BMP-3 vehicles, worth $114 million, was signed in early May 2013.

Joko's senior advisor Luhut Pandjaitan told local media last month that Indonesia hopes build stronger defence ties with neighbours, particularly now with the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

According to Jokowi’s 41-page action plan, he has four main defense priorities.

First, continue supporting the professionalism of the Indonesian Military (TNI) by improving soldiers’ welfare and its main weapons systems by increasing the defense budget to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) within five years.

Second, seek defense independence by reducing foreign technological imports, strengthening the domestic defense industry and diversifying Indonesia’s defense partnerships.

Third, complete the military’s Minimum Essential Force (MEF) blueprint and build it so that it eventually becomes a respectable maritime force in East Asia.

Finally, place defense policy as an integral part of a comprehensive and resilient national security system that reorders various defense, internal security, public safety and human security functions managed by the National Security Council (DKN).

Widodo Aims To Diversify Indonesia’s Defense Partnerships, Reduce Foreign Tech Imports

Defense expo aims for arms development
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Sat, November 01 2014, 7:06 AM

National News
The upcoming 2014 Indo Defence Expo and Forum, the country’s largest military equipment exhibition, was expected to be a forum to forge defense partnerships between global and local defense companies, a Defense Ministry official said.

The ministry’s defense potential director general, Timbul Siahaan, said Friday that 56 countries and 700 foreign and local defense firms were expected to join the biannual event, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 – 8 at JIExpo Kemayoran Jakarta.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, the ministry will hold seminars to discuss opportunities and regulations on defense cooperation with Indonesian firms.

“We want to promote to the international community all sides of our defense industries, including the regulations,” Timbul said in a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Central Jakarta on Friday.

“The 2012 Defense Industry Law regulates Indonesian firms must control at least 51 percent of a defense joint project, and the other 49 percent can be managed by its foreign counterpart,” he added.

The regulation is part of the country’s grand strategy to fulfill its Minimum Essential Force (MEF) and to have a strong defense industry by 2024.

Since being implemented in 2010, the strategy – coupled with financial backing of Rp 100 trillion (US$8.25 billion), has helped the country reach 40 percent of its MEF this year.

Also at the event, the ministry will sign an agreement with the Turkish government on the design development of a medium-sized tank.

“The project will be carried out by Indonesia’s state-owned land-systems and weapons maker PT Pindad and Turkish defense contractor FNSS,” Timbul said.
 
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New Indonesian Maritime Affairs Minister declares war against illegal fishing
Jumat, 31 Oktober 2014 21:32 WIB | 1.203 Views
Pewarta: Fardah
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Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti. (ANTARA/Andika Wahyu)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia, the worlds largest archipelagic nation, has abundant marine resources with economic prospects touching Rp3,000 trillion (US$257 billion) per year.

But, Indonesian waters (almost 70 percent of its national territory) are exposed to illegal fishing activities by foreign poachers. Between 2001 and 2003, 6,215 cases related to illegal fishing had been recorded.

Poaching in Indonesian waters has been on the rise due to poor supervision and legal enforcement to curb illegal fishing by foreign fishermen and boats.

According to Public Coalition for Fisheries Justice (Kiara), the state lost Rp101 trillion to illegal fishing activities between January and August 2014, during which a total of 1.6 million tons of fish (182 tons per day) were stolen from Indonesian waters.

Most of the foreign fishing boats that poached in Indonesian waters came from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.

"Boats bearing the flags of foreign countries entered much deeper into Indonesian territorial waters and islands," Selamet Daroyni of Kiara said in Jakarta on Oct 29, 2014.

He further stated that nine of the countrys 11 regional fisheries management areas have indications of overfishing due to poaching.

Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Unitary Indonesian Traditional Fishermen (KNTI) M. Rizal Damanik said 30 percent losses caused by illegal fishing in the world was suffered by Indonesia.

"So, according to the report of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, illegal fishing has caused losses to the tune of US$23 billion. And about 30 percent of illegal fishing in the world occurred in Indonesia," Rizal Damanik added.

Given the huge losses suffered by the state, new Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti has expressed her determination to eliminate illegal fishing activities from Indonesian waters.

According to the minister, the country has suffered a significant loss, especially in the form of tax revenue, due to illegal fishing.

"I will eradicate them all," Susi Pudjiastuti had stated at a press conference after the transfer of power between her and her predecessor Sharif Cicip Sutardjo.

She had also noted she might continue the good programs created by Sutardjo. "I will see, in the course of time, what to change or retain in the various policies of the previous minister," Susi added.

During a meeting with entrepreneurs from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), on Oct. 30, 2014, the new minister revealed her plans to stop issuing new entry permits to fishing trawlers until the end of 2014.

While justifying her decision to put a halt on the issuance of new entry permits to fishing trawlers, she apologized if the decision was to negatively affect the fisheries business in Indonesia.

According to the minister, several foreign ships and Indonesian ships sponsored by foreign parties had carried out illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, especially near Maluku, Sumatra, and the Indian Ocean.

"Dont you want to be independent? Why should someone else (foreigners) enjoy our rich natural resources?" Susi, who is also an entrepreneur, asked.

Indonesia has abundant marine resources, but they are subjected to rampant poaching because the nation lacks necessary regulations to protect its natural resources, she stated.

Australia, for instance, has a policy to protect 70 percent of its Great Barrier Reef from fishing activities, she pointed out.

She also has plans to invite foreign ambassadors to discuss issues concerning illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.

"I plan to invite all foreign ambassadors to talk about illegal fishing," the minister said.

The minister revealed she wanted to have a "heart-to-heart" talk with the ambassadors.

Earlier this year, the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry had disclosed that the country was losing Rp101 trillion (US$ 8.8 million) a year to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in its waters.

It also resulted in the Indonesian government losing revenue from foregone tax on fisheries products and fuel subsidy, the secretary to the maritime affairs and fisheries ministrys director general for supervision of fishery resources, Ida Kusuma Wardaningsih, stated in early 2014.

Besides this, local fishermen, especially those working as small scale communities, could not compete with illegal fishermen who usually deployed bigger ships to poach in Indonesian waters, she added.

One of the largest maritime countries, with about 5.8 million square kilometers of marine territory, Indonesia has around 92,000-km-long beach and coastal areas.

Safeguarding such a large maritime zone is not easy particularly in the absence of facilities such as adequate patrol boats. Despite the limitations in protecting its water territory, the Indonesian government is determined to fight IUU fishing.

According to data from the ministry, from January to April 2014, the Indonesian water police confiscated 16 ships involved in illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. Eight of the ships carried Vietnams flag.

From 2007 to April 2014, the Directorate of Marine and Fisheries Resources Control seized 103 Thai fishing ships.

Meanwhile, Rizal Damanik of KNTI advised the new government on three challenges in the maritime sector. The first challenge is to coordinate the state budget for the maritime sector by focusing on the welfare of fishermen and marine economic sovereignty.

"The second is to manage natural resources that cause losses in marine and fisheries sector. The role and functions of the maritime sector is only calculated on the basis of economic contribution and land area as an indicator of mobilization of the state resources," he added.

The third challenge is to get fishing organizations, farmers, and coastal dwellers to participate in the drafting of public policy.
(T.F001/INE/KR-BSR/S012)

New Indonesian Maritime Affairs Minister declares war against illegal fishing - ANTARA News
 
Indonesia Must Rise to Strengthen ASEAN
Source: Getty
Vikram Nehru, Nadia BulkinOP-ED MARCH 5, 2014NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW
SUMMARY
Indonesia’s future rests with Southeast Asia, and ASEAN is at the heart of the region’s institutional architecture. If Indonesia is to shape its own geostrategic environment, then it must work with its neighbors to strengthen ASEAN.



The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is at the heart of the region's institutional architecture. Having driven economic integration and four decades of rapid growth, Asean has enabled its 10 member states to punch above their weight in Asian and global affairs.

But amid rapidly evolving challenges, the institution must adapt equally swiftly

In times of crisis, Asean has often looked to Indonesia for leadership. The country's size, vibrant democracy, economic performance and relative military strength make it primus inter pares in the Asean community. Beyond the region, Indonesia's clout is enhanced by growing international prominence through its roles in the G-20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the World Trade Organization and in climate change diplomacy. There has even been talk of Indonesia "outgrowing" Asean as its outlook becomes more global.


That does not mean Indonesia always gets its way in the region. For example, it failed in its 2004 bid to build a genuine regional security framework as envisioned in the Asean Charter. Asean instead chose "soft cooperation" that stopped well short of the robust security arrangements Jakarta wanted.

PROTECTING ITSELF
Now, however, a new security risk confronts Southeast Asia. It stems from the rise of China as a military superpower and the challenge it poses to a weakened, distracted United States.

China has used its expanding military capabilities to advance its interests in the East China and South China seas. Recently Beijing announced an air defense identification zone covering most of the East China Sea, including areas claimed by Japan and South Korea. Just six days later, the Chinese province of Hainan issued fishing regulations covering 2 million sq. km of the South China Sea -- overlapping with areas claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

Both announcements reinforced concerns in the Asia-Pacific about China's strategic intentions. The ADIZ announcement, in particular, raised tensions in the East China Sea to the point where the slightest miscalculation by either Japanese or Chinese patrolling vessels around the disputed the Senkaku Islands -- known as the Diaoyu in China -- could lead to conflict. China has every intention of extending its ADIZ to cover the South China Sea. This will constrain sea and air lines of communication, with possibly severe repercussions for Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia's strategic location astride the Strait of Malacca has generated enormous benefits. The region cannot afford to have its transport links constrained by any country's decision to change the status quo in violation of international law.

In defending its interests, Southeast Asia cannot rely solely on strategic partners for support. It must build its own capabilities. Unsurprisingly, growth in Southeast Asia's defense spending is now among the world's highest. Yet no Southeast Asian country is capable of going toe-to-toe with China. Asean's only route forward is to strengthen security relationships among its members and build security ties with strategic partners. In the process, Asean and its various security forums must graduate from information-sharing to defense cooperation, conflict resolution and conflict prevention.

UNDERSIZED, UNDERFUNDED
Furthermore, if Asean is to build a security framework for the 21st century, then it needs a capable secretariat. Unfortunately, the Asean Secretariat (ASEC) is too small for its current mandate, let alone an expanded one. Financial contribution to ASEC, set at $1.5 million per member per year, gives it an annual budget of about $15 million, which, for Asean's 600 million inhabitants, comes to 2.5 U.S. cents per person. That is a pittance for an organization with a mandate as broad as Asean's. In contrast, the European Commission managed over $200 billion in contributions from EU member states in 2012, the equivalent of $400 per person -- 16,000 times Asean's budget.

ASEC is not just short on money. Its staff of 260 cannot possibly manage its many responsibilities. It does not help that two-thirds of its staff is assigned from the bureaucratic ranks of member states instead of being selected through competitive processes offering market-based salaries.

Asean has formed a task force to bolster ASEC. Indonesia should urge the task force to be innovative and propose fundamental changes to make the secretariat capable of coordinating effectively across its many functions. Then it should urge fellow member states to back ASEC with additional funding.

Indonesia's future rests with Southeast Asia. If the country is to shape its own geostrategic environment, then it must work with its neighbors to strengthen the region's institutional architecture. Asean needs to build a security framework capable of protecting the region's vital interests and its members' national sovereignty. In the past, when the organization has needed bold leadership, Indonesia has provided it. Indonesia must rise to the challenge again.

This article was originally published in the Nikkei Asian Review.

Indonesia Must Rise to Strengthen ASEAN - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
 
Indonesia Army Anoa 2, with some improvement with Add-on ceramic armor, and option to add Remote weapon station
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close up of the remote weapon
credit to decodex @kaskus
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