The Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries, Arif Havas Oegroseno, said here Wednesday that the PCA ruling had strengthened the countrys commitment to eradication of fish poaching in the countrys waters.
"One of the impacts of the PCA ruling is that Indonesias position will be stronger in its fight against illegal fishing in our countrys waters," he said at a discussion on the PCA ruling.
Indonesia has a strong commitment to secure its maritime area from illegal fishing activities, Arif said, and added that FAO has admitted it while stating that Indonesia is the only member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that shows a strong commitment to fighting fish poaching.
Other benefits Indonesia would enjoy from the PCA ruling are that there are now clear maritime definitions and sea demarcations, so Indonesia need not worry again about the nine-dash line, he said.
The discussion on the PCA ruling was done as an educative forum for all officials concerned in view of Indonesias past history over its territorial dispute with Malaysia, Arif said.
The discussion was attended by officials from the navy, the Ministry of Defense, the foreign ministry, the ministries of maritime affairs and fisheries, as well as students from Parahiyangan University and Indonesia University.
China had no historical rights to the South China Sea and that it had violated the Philippines sovereign rights by its activities so far, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on July 12.
The disputes in the South China Sea involves a number of ASEAN member countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia that have overlapping claims over areas in the region.
Cambodia has stated that it is not involved in the disputes and supported China.
Indonesia has called on all countries involved in the disputes to honor the PCA ruling.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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