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January 7, 2025 | 07:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Ministry Spokesperson Frega Wenas revealed that one of the points of discussion between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and his Japanese counterpart Nakatani Gen on Tuesday afternoon is the developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia, said Frega, has an understanding with Japan for constructive efforts to build peace, including about South China Sea.
“Indonesia and Japan also understand that there are tensions, dynamics, which cannot be avoided. But in principle, to resolve any issues, we refer to international resolution and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Frega said after a meeting with the Japanese Defense Minister on Tuesday, January 7.
Frega emphasized that Indonesia adopts a free and active foreign policy, which ensures no favoritism. “We open opportunities with anyone, including Japan,” he said.
Previously, tension rose after Prabowo inked a maritime cooperation agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 9, 2024. Within the joint statement, it said that Indonesia and China “reached important common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims.”
University of Indonesia International Law Professor Hikmahanto Juwana questioned whether the overlapping claims cited related to China’s unilateral claim on the Ten Dash Line (previously known as the Nine Dash Line) overlapping with Indonesia's EEZ in North Natuna.
If so, said Hikmahanto, it signaled a fundamental change to Indonesia’s policy on China’s territorial claim, which will impact the geopolitical climate in the region.
Indonesia, under former President Joko Widodo’s reign, has not acknowledged China’s unilateral Ten Dash Line claim, especially since it is not recognized in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in which Indonesia and China are participating countries.
"Furthermore, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 affirmed that China's unilateral claim is indeed not recognized in UNCLOS," he said.
Foreign Minister Sugiono explained that maritime cooperation does not compromise Indonesia's sovereignty over the South China Sea.
“When it comes to sovereignty, we do not change our stance,” Sugiono said during a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) at the Senayan parliamentary complex on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Sugiono clarified that this does not imply recognition of China's nine-dash line claim. “We have not expressed any recognition, nor have we stated that we will work at point A, coordinate B. That doesn’t exist,” he explained.
He highlighted President Prabowo's directive to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries for the benefit of Indonesia. The joint statement adheres to principles of mutual respect and relevant international regulations.
Annisa Febiola contributed to the writing of this article.
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