Indonesian maritime agency hails success over Natuna drilling

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD and Home Minister Tito Karnavian visit the North Natuna Sea aboard the KRI Semarang-594 naval hospital ship on Nov 23. The visit intends to communicate the government's commitment to strengthening Indonesia's outermost islands and border areas. - JP

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has hailed last month’s completion of a six-month drilling project on Indonesia’s continental shelf in the North Natuna Sea as a “victory” over China’s constant objections.

In the past two years, interventions from China through a “grey hull” naval approach and diplomatic threats became increasingly common around the Natuna Islands.