The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) took decisive action by expelling five Chinese-flagged fishing vessels found anchored in the northern waters of Tanjung Berakit, Bintan, within the Kepulauan Riau province, on Wednesday.

Colonel Rudi Endratmoko, commander of the KN Tanjung Datu 301 vessel, stated that the presence of the Chinese vessels was initially detected by the Vessel Traffic System (VTS) in Batam on Tuesday (September 10, 2024). This discovery prompted immediate action by Indonesian maritime authorities.

The Chinese vessels were detected on September 10, 2024, at approximately 12:00 PM local time, anchoring 22 nautical miles north of Tanjung Berakit. Despite attempts to communicate via radio channel 16, the vessels did not respond, leading to further action.

Following the lack of response, VTS Batam coordinated with KN Tanjung Datu 301 to further investigate and address the presence of these vessels in Indonesian waters, suspecting them of waiting to enter the busy port of Singapore.

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By 8:00 PM, a strategic meeting was held by KN Tanjung Datu 301 with the Maritime Security Operations Directorate of Bakamla to plan a boarding operation. Two VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) teams were deployed early on Wednesday to approach the Chinese vessels.

At 6:00 AM on Wednesday, the Indonesian teams successfully shadowed the Chinese fishing boats, compelling them to move away from Batam towards the traffic separation scheme (TSS) in Singapore, thus ensuring they left Indonesian waters.

This incident highlights Bakamla’s commitment to enforcing national sovereignty and protecting Indonesia’s territorial waters from illegal activities by foreign vessels.

The expulsion of the five Chinese fishing vessels by Indonesian authorities underscores the ongoing challenges and the assertive measures taken to protect the nation’s maritime borders against unauthorized foreign activities. This action reaffirms Indonesia’s resolve in safeguarding its territorial integrity and enforcing maritime law.

On September 11, 2024, Indonesian maritime security successfully expelled five unauthorized Chinese fishing vessels from near Tanjung Berakit, showcasing Indonesia’s firm stance on protecting its sovereign waters and addressing illegal fishing activities.

Sources: Detik, Metro Batam (2024)