The geopolitical significance of the incident Indonesia inaugurated a new military base at the disputed Natuna Besar in the South China Sea.
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The Commander of the Indonesian Army, Air Marshal Hadi Jahiyanto inaugurated a new military base in the disputed area of Natuna Besar in the South China Sea between Indonesia and China on December 18, 2018. The geopolitical significance of this phenomenon must be understood.
Natuna is the largest island on the southern border of the South China Sea. China and Indonesia are at odds over the island's rights. Indonesia does not assert its claim to the South China Sea, but the dispute between Jakarta and Beijing over the presence of fishing vessels in the disputed Natuna region has long been ongoing. In March 2016, a special task force from Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries caught a Chinese fishing boat in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the island of Natuna, northwest of Borneo.
Indonesia has always been sensitive to its sovereignty and rights. The government of Joko Widodo, and primarily Fisheries Minister Susie Pujiasuti, has taken drastic measures to protect the rights of Indonesian fishermen by drowning and burning illegal fishing boats in Indonesian waters. In addition, the President of Indonesia has repeatedly expressed his strong views in this regard. For example, when he visited Japan after his election, he said, "China's claim to the South China Sea border has no legal basis under international law."
President Joko Widodo visited the island of Natuna from a naval warship after Chinese fishing boats repeatedly entered the Indonesian sea illegally. A meeting of some cabinet ministers was held on the warship itself. In mid-July 2017, the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs presented a new map of the disputed area of the Indonesian Sea. The same was included in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the name of North Natuna Sea.
Joko Widodo's government has turned its attention to Natuna after Chinese illegal fishing boats were found in the sea near Natuna. In 2016, the Indonesian parliament approved a budget to establish a military base at Natuna. Speaking at the inauguration of the military base, Air Marshal Hadi Jahiyanto said, "This military base has been specially designed to prevent potential security threats along the border."This was stated by Army Spokesperson Colonel Sus Taibur Rehman. Security analysts around the world say Indonesia has tried to send a strong message to China.
Colin Koh of RSIS Singapore said, ‘The plan to set up a military base on Natuna Island was made many years ago. The incident with China in 2016 gave impetus to that plan. Ivan Laxman, a researcher in Indonesia, said, " This new base is not just to prevent China it clear thatIn addition, the ongoing discussions at the ASEAN forum to develop a code of conduct for resolving disputes in the South China Sea will have to look at the impact of this new military base on Natuna Island. On this front, many say that Indonesia is on the right side.
We must look at Indonesia's decision to build this new military base from a broader perspective on the changing situation in the Indo-Pacific region. A closer look at Indonesia's strategy, foreign relations and defense policy reveals a positive change under the current government. The problem of illegal fishing has always been a concern for Indonesia, but such drastic measures have never been taken before. President Joko Widodo had expressed his desire for Indonesia to emerge as a regional maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region during his election campaign.
Indonesia's decision to build the new military base could be seen as an attempt to build a significant naval power in the Indo-Pacific. The country's naval modernization has gained momentum, with Indonesia's old navy being replaced by new ships, increasing the share of the defense sector in Indonesia's budget. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has been planning to build a military base in Natuna since 2009, following Indonesia's adoption of the "Minimum Essential Forces" policy. Built at Natuna, the base will be for both ground and naval battalions. It will also have state-of-the-art systems and other facilities such as submarines, unmanned aerial vehicles, warships and jets.
The Indonesian government plans to establish a third army in the east. With the completion of the Natuna base, the Indonesian military will be able to focus more on areas east of the Pacific Ocean, where global powers such as China and the United States are very active, so military bases will be set up at Somalki, Morotai, Biak and Merauk. According to Ivan Laxman, a researcher in Indonesia, ' Natuna Lake will pave the way for the construction of armies in the Sea of Timor, the Sea of Arfura, the Sea of Celebes and the Pacific Ocean in eastern Indonesia. ‘In the past, Indonesia’s defense policies had a‘ continental overtone ’, focusing on internal security challenges and to some extent unconventional security threats in Malacca. Balancing to the east is a brand new strategy.
The Natuna base could be developed as part of a broader policy of balancing east of Indonesia. With the concept of a free Indo-Pacific rooted, President Joko Widodo's dream of Indonesia emerging as a global maritime power is finally taking shape. Indonesia can be seen taking the lead in the ASEAN controversy over the creation of the Indo-Pacific concept, where the inclusion of ASEAN as a hub and ASEAN mechanisms will be at the center of the controversy.
The importance of Indonesia taking the lead in ASEAN has always been acknowledged by other ASEAN member countries. "In the absence of Indonesia, it is difficult for ASEAN to come together and play a common role ," former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said at a conference on "Perspectives on Singapore" organized by the Institute of Policy Studies on January 28, 2019 .
Indonesia now wants to show its presence in the Indo-Pacific region not only in the political arena and in the multilateral arena, but also to become an influential force in the Indo-Pacific region with the help of its naval power, command, military bases and 'Eastern Balance' policy.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on January 11, 2018, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi presented Indonesia's Indo-Pacific concept on the principle of "Partners for Peace, Security and Prosperity". He said, "Indonesia will continue to contribute to enhancing positive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with ASEAN, rather than building cooperation on the basis of terror or a suspicious environment." Indonesia will work with countries in the region to achieve the goal of building free, comprehensive and inclusive cooperation. ” In his speech at the 'Shangri-La Dialogue' conference on June 1, 2018, Modi's model of India's Indo-Pacific concept was first proposed.
India and Indonesia have similarities in policies in the Indo-Pacific concept model. Modi said, “Indo-Pacific is a free and inclusive region that brings everyone together to track progress and prosperity. It includes all the nations in the region, but also the countries that have an interest in the region. Southeast Asia is at the heart of the region, and ASEAN is and will remain at the heart of the region in the future. ”
The South China Sea connects India with its important partners in the East, and much of India's foreign trade goes in this direction. ASEAN accounts for 20% of that trade. India and Indonesia have a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement and both countries share a common vision for maritime cooperation, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, Indonesia's new 'Eastern Balance' policy could pave the way for India-Indonesia relations in the Indo-Pacific
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