The navy said it was investigating a torpedo-like object discovered by a fisherman near the Lombok Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The 3.7m-long and 65cm-wide object was fished from the ocean on Monday about 10km from the popular tourist island of Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, the navy said yesterday.
A 28-year-old fisherman immediately reported the unusual find to the local authorities, who retrieved it.
“The Indonesian navy will promptly carry out an in-depth examination ... of the device to determine its origin, function, and the data contained within it,” navy spokesperson Tunggul, who like many Indonesians has only one name, said.
“The Indonesian National Armed Forces will remain fully committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Indonesia’s territorial seas from all forms of unauthorised activities, including the use of underwater devices or equipment by unauthorised parties in Indonesian waters.”
Mataram naval base chief Asep Tri Prabowo told reporters on Wednesday the object was under strict supervision and would be sent to Jakarta for further investigation.
An initial examination by the West Nusa Tenggara Police’s bomb squad confirmed it did not contain any explosive or radioactive substances, Asep Tri added. — AFP
