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Maintaining Indonesia, Philippine border security
Jumat, 10 Agustus 2018 21:11 WIB - 0 Views

Reporter: Otniel Tamindael

bilateral-menhan-indonesia-filipina-1.jpg

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu (left) and Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana (right) shake hands after attending the Philippines-Indonesia Bilateral Meeting in Manila, Philippines, Friday (08/10/2018). (ANTARA PHOTO/HO/Dok Puskom Kemhan Juli Syawaludin)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Although the situation in the border region of Indonesia and the Philippines is relatively safe, the threat of terrorism should continue to be monitored by intensifying border security.

Hence, the two countries have reaffirmed bilateral cooperation and their commitment to work hand-in-hand in maintaining the security at their common borders to prevent transnational crime and terrorism.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has said that the dislocation of the ISIS group and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which was part of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was heavily involved in extorting money from foreigners through its Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) activities.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense recorded that the concentration of most personnel in Zamboanga, Marawi, Zulu and Barangay is not ideological, compared to the more militant and fundamentalist MNLF in the Lanao del Sur complex and Basilan regions.

Their strength is currently around 1,267 militants, 40 of whom are Indonesian citizens, with the largest 200-300 militants in Basilan being led by Uruji Indama, while the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo is led by Radulon Sahiran, who has mixed weapons with concentrations in Zamboanga, Basilan, Jolo, Barangay and Lanau der Sul.

Hence, Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to expand defense cooperation, including seeking the eradication of terrorism by involving ground, sea, and air forces.

"We have successfully carried out cooperation in eradicating terrorism by sea and air, and in the future we want similar cooperation on land," Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said in Manila, the Philippines, on Friday.

At a meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Delfin N Lorenzana, Ryacudu noted that the defense cooperation between the two countries, including the eradication of terrorists, had gone well.

"We want this cooperation to be more evident in its implementation in the field, as the problem of terrorism is not only a matter of (concern for) Indonesia and the Philippines, but also for all countries in the region," he noted.

For this reason, the two countries need to be more concrete in taking this partnership forward in a sustainable manner, as terrorism is not a problem that is going to last only a year or two, the former Indonesian Army chief of staff noted.

In the meantime, Philippine Defense Minister Delfin N. Lorenzana stated that terrorism was a crime that transcended the country`s borders.

"Hence, we must establish cooperation to overcome the problem. Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries in the region face diverse security challenges and threats, including terrorism," Lorenzana noted.

According to Lorenzana, the implementation of the defense and security cooperation between the Republic of Indonesia and the Philippines was a form of commitment to realize security and stability for the two countries and the region.

He emphasized that defense cooperation between the two countries must continue to be intensified through various platforms, such as dialogue and information exchanges.

The government of Indonesia has made every effort to deal with terrorism through both soft and hard approaches.

President Jokowi has said acts of terrorism pose a threat that law enforcement agencies must deal with properly.

In addition, cooperation between Indonesia and other countries in fighting radicalism and terrorism should continue to be improved in order to prevent its spreading influence.

Radicalism developing in Indonesia is believed to be a transnational ideology and a product imported from specific countries.

Therefore, Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to increase their joint border security efforts, especially along their marine boundaries, through coordinated patrols.

Such coordinated patrols by the two countries` navies have become part of the military cooperation that has worked well.

So far, military cooperation between the two countries has been successful in education, as well as training and operations, especially coordinated patrols along the two countries` sea borders.

For Indonesia, the country remains committed to combating terrorism, through stopping the financing and money laundering in its jurisdictions, and through regional and international cooperation.

Money laundering is the process that criminals use to "clean" the money they make from carrying out crimes, such as fraud, dealing in illegal drugs, and tax evasion.

People who finance terrorism use similar methods to channel funds to money launderers for violent causes, and to disguise those who provide and receive the money.

Hence, the International Monetary Fund, in recent years, has been assuming a greater role in anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.

In its commitment to eradicate money laundering and financing terrorism, Indonesia is involved in the Association of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering, which has 41 member countries.

This organization seeks to ensure that each member country, including Indonesia, is actively pursuing standards of action established in anti-money laundering policies, financing terrorism, and widespread funding of weapons of mass destruction.

Indonesia has officially become an observer at the FATF, an inter-state cooperation forum aimed at establishing the global standard of anti-money laundering regimes, and the prevention of financing terrorism.

Edited by Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Heru Purwanto

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2018
 
. . .
Indonesia wants to purchase 11 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets from Russia. (Antara Photo/Siswowidodo)


By Robertus Wardi on 8:14 pm Aug 10, 2018
Category Business , Trade
Jakarta.
The Ministry of Defense wants to purchase 11 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets from Russia, even though the move may come with a risk of American sanctions.

In August 2017, President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russia. Some of Russian financial assets were frozen by the US, access to loans was limited, and the country's exports and imports with the US were capped. The sanctions can extend to any country that purchases Russian products.

Indonesia wants to acquire 11 SU-35s for $1.14 billion to replace its old F-5 Tigers. It was agreed last year that Russia would accept Indonesian export products such as coffee, palm oil and tea in payment.

In February, the two countries signed a contract for the procurement, which included full combat specifications of the aircraft.

"If the contract comes into effect this August, then two units will arrive in 2019," the ministry's public communications head Totok Sugiharto said in Jakarta Thursday (09/08).

"We don't have any enemies. We're on good terms with America, as we're also buying their Hercules [planes]. We just happen to be on good terms with Russia and other countries as well. So, we're not making any enemies," he said.

Indonesia also plans to purchase five newest Hercules carrier planes to strengthen the military's weapons systems and replace the old models at its disposal.

"If we encounter no obstacles, those planes will likely arrive in two years' time. We have only just ordered them from the US," Totok added.

Last week, however, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto announced that plans to purchase the SU-35s could not be accomplished in the near future, due to the possible US sanctions.

"What are you going to do if we get hit by these sanctions? Try and think about the consequences," he said, adding that the purchase of weapons is not as simple as of ordinary goods. Multiple factors must be taken into account.

"Everything has to be in sync, got it?" Wiranto said.

Several Asian countries, including Indonesia, India, and Vietnam, are under threat of American sanctions for importing Russian-produced weapons systems.

The sanctions aim to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, involvement in the Syrian war, and interference in the 2016 US presidential election. They extend to all US allies that purchase Russian weapons and equipment.

Indonesia is negotiating with the US to have the sanctions lifted.

http://jakartaglobe.id/trade/defense-ministry-wants-sukhoi-fighter-jets-despite-us-sanctions-risk/
 
. .
China can veto foreign war games in SE Asia under draft code: analyst
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 08 2018 08:56 AM | Updated as of Aug 08 2018 09:31 AM
20150420-us-wargames-rtr.jpg

Filipino soldiers take positions as a U.S. military CH-47 helicopter takes off during the 2015 Balikatan war games. Reuters file photo
MANILA - China can "veto" potential military exercises between Southeast Asian nations and foreign powers outside the region if the current draft code of conduct is passed, an analyst warned Wednesday.

In the present document, Beijing proposed that it and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations cannot engage in "joint military exercises with external powers without the notification and consent of the other states," said Jay Batongbacal, director of U.P. Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.


"If this were to be agreed upon, you will have a situation where for example, the Philippines would not be able to have Balikatan exercises simply because China has objected to it," he told ANC's Headstart.

Such a scenario would be to China's advantage because it "does not have any military alliances yet it is a dominant power in the region," said Batongbacal.

In the draft text, as reported by Agence France-Presse, Beijing suggested that China and the 10 ASEAN states should carry out joint military exercises regularly.

However, the drills should not involve countries outside the region "unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection."

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv
"I don’t think that the Philippines should accept this, in the same way that other nations in the region because it will limit their options, limit their ability to even defend themselves and to enhance or develop their own military capabilities," said Batongbacal.

"They should have the choice. What this will do is to severely undermine the alliances between the Philippines and United States, between Thailand and the United States, etc.," he added.

The US and the Philippines are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and two other agreements that allow US troops to have rotating presence in the country.

A Palace spokesman earlier said Malacañang does not object to Chinese proposals to hold military drills with Southeast Asian nations that will exclude the United States, a major military power in the Pacific and South China Sea.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said China’s objective in pursuing an all-Asian military drill was to “have a military relation [with its] neighbors.”

“I’m sure defense authorities will study the matter seriously. We find nothing objectionable to the fact that China would want to exclude non-Asians from the military exercise,” Roque said in a press briefing in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“The United States is 10,000 miles away. If the intention is to build stronger relations between military forces who are neighbors, then the US would be out of place.”

of all countries great just great>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>https://www.rnw.org/archive/asean-must-push-china-sea-code-indonesia

ASEAN has transformed itself from mainly a bloc originally against communism into a league of commie sellouts.......:hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall:
 
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China can veto foreign war games in SE Asia under draft code: analyst
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 08 2018 08:56 AM | Updated as of Aug 08 2018 09:31 AM
20150420-us-wargames-rtr.jpg

Filipino soldiers take positions as a U.S. military CH-47 helicopter takes off during the 2015 Balikatan war games. Reuters file photo
MANILA - China can "veto" potential military exercises between Southeast Asian nations and foreign powers outside the region if the current draft code of conduct is passed, an analyst warned Wednesday.

In the present document, Beijing proposed that it and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations cannot engage in "joint military exercises with external powers without the notification and consent of the other states," said Jay Batongbacal, director of U.P. Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.


"If this were to be agreed upon, you will have a situation where for example, the Philippines would not be able to have Balikatan exercises simply because China has objected to it," he told ANC's Headstart.

Such a scenario would be to China's advantage because it "does not have any military alliances yet it is a dominant power in the region," said Batongbacal.

In the draft text, as reported by Agence France-Presse, Beijing suggested that China and the 10 ASEAN states should carry out joint military exercises regularly.

However, the drills should not involve countries outside the region "unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection."

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv
"I don’t think that the Philippines should accept this, in the same way that other nations in the region because it will limit their options, limit their ability to even defend themselves and to enhance or develop their own military capabilities," said Batongbacal.

"They should have the choice. What this will do is to severely undermine the alliances between the Philippines and United States, between Thailand and the United States, etc.," he added.

The US and the Philippines are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and two other agreements that allow US troops to have rotating presence in the country.

A Palace spokesman earlier said Malacañang does not object to Chinese proposals to hold military drills with Southeast Asian nations that will exclude the United States, a major military power in the Pacific and South China Sea.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said China’s objective in pursuing an all-Asian military drill was to “have a military relation [with its] neighbors.”

“I’m sure defense authorities will study the matter seriously. We find nothing objectionable to the fact that China would want to exclude non-Asians from the military exercise,” Roque said in a press briefing in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“The United States is 10,000 miles away. If the intention is to build stronger relations between military forces who are neighbors, then the US would be out of place.”

of all countries great just great>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>https://www.rnw.org/archive/asean-must-push-china-sea-code-indonesia

ASEAN has transformed itself from mainly a bloc originally against communism into a league of commie sellouts.......:hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall::hitwall:
I doubt that draft would pass in its current form.

Indonesia won't stand for it, Vietnam would throw a fit, and Malaysia will refuse to basically severe ties with its 4 nation alliance.
 
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