Press Conference #2 Natuna Waters Dispute : Legality of Nine Dash Line

On Tuesday (14/1), the Institute of International Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (IIS UGM) held a press conference to discuss two important issues in international politics in early 2020. One of them is the territorial dispute of Natuna waters between  Indonesia and China.

Indrawan Jatmika, researcher at IIS UGM said that Indonesian government tends to move too slowly and is less responsive in responding to actions taken by China, who disrupts the North Natuna Sea by the inclusion of fishing boats and coast guard patrols that trespasses Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China often uses its historical setting, namely nine dash lines, as its foundation to claim the South China Sea region. Even though these nine dash lines clearly contradicts UNCLOS and intersects with Indonesia’s EEZ boundaries.

“The steps Indonesia is currently taking tend to try to tackle rather than to prevent the problem, because the issue in South China Sea was brought to attention at the beginning of the decade of 2010, especially in 2013-2014 when China began to have power due to rapid economic development,” Indrawan said.

Since the beginning of his administration in 2014, President Jokowi felt that the South China Sea case was not an Indonesian affair, therefore, there was no need for Indonesian interference. This then became a mindset that continues to this day. So when an issue like this occurs, the government is not ready and yet has a strategy to deal with it. As a result, each of the ministries’ responsibilities were intertwined, with each ministry having its own position to overcome this issue.

With Indonesia’s tendency ignoring this issue, Indonesia loses the opportunity to become an ASEAN leader. In fact, since the creation of ASEAN in 1967, Indonesia has always been regarded as the leader of ASEAN. This is quite unfortunate according to Indrawan. Indonesia should be able to lead and multilaterally consolidate ASEAN member countries to determine joint steps and attitudes to respond to China, while bringing this issue to various international forums on behalf of ASEAN.

Domestically, Indonesia also needs to be more assertive and ready to overcome this issue. Sending the military to Natuna or building a military base to Natuna doesn’t mean that Indonesia challenges China into a open war, but rather shows the readiness of Indonesia to defend it’s territorial sovereignty.

Indrawan’s explanation was followed by a presentation by Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, UGM lecturer in International Relations and an expert on Southeast Asian politics and security studies. According to Randy, this Chinese presence in Natuna is important because the fishing boats are escorted by coast guards who according to UNCLOS are paramilitary, because they are assisted by the state by providing escorts. This is the problem and makes the whole ordeal more complicated.

According to Randy, China took this action because it depended on the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC can continue to rule if it can guarantee economic growth, maintain territorial integrity, and love of the motherland’s propaganda (nationalism).

“The territorial integrity point is a point that intersects with this case, because the CPC must defend the South China Sea which is considered as rightful territory of China. Most likely, the Chinese Government will find it difficult to retreat because according to China, the South China Sea is important for Chinese territorial integrity, “Randy said.

Previously, Indonesia limited its involvement in the issue of the South China Sea because Indonesia did not claim the Spratly Island in the waters of the South China Sea, so that previously there had been no dispute and direct contact between Indonesia and China. But now, it is important for Indonesia to be actively involved and more responsive in overcoming violations of regional sovereignty. Because in an international dispute, a country that can take care of an area and manage it seriously, it will be seen as more important and more appropriate for that region. This is what China is trying to pursue.

In line with what Indrawan said earlier, Indonesia’s response was considered to be less coordinated. The various ministry and institutions involved do not have uniform responses to this issue. So what can be done by the government is to coordinate more seriously and make stronger and well directed diplomacy efforts to maintain Natuna waters.

“Indonesia has so far ignored the historical fishing rights of China, so Indonesia needs to go deeper into the foundation and reasons for China to intervene in Natuna. “There is also a need for an agreement option between the two countries where the two countries can work together and utilize resources simultaneously,” Randy concluded his presentation.

Author: Denise Michelle

Editor: Angganararas Indriyosanti