Commander of the Tanjungpinang Naval Base Colonel Ribut Eko Suyatno, representing the commander of the western Indonesian marine security, opened the event in Batam, Riau Islands province, on Tuesday.
He said that Lieutenant Colonel Totok Irianto enjoyed the trust as the commander of Patkor Optima-26A/17 task force. Irianto will command Indonesian warships KRI Sembilang-850 and KRI Sigurot-864, Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) ship, police ship, Marine and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) ship, customs and excise ship, and the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministrys ship.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has deployed MV Marlin, MV Danga, MV Satria, PA-51-PDRM, and PA-52-PDRM, among others.
The Indonesian side in the joint patrol and exercise comprise personnel of the Indonesian Navy, the Indonesian Police, the Customs and Excise Office, the Maritime Security Board (Bakamla), and the Marine and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP).
"Marine security is not merely related to sovereignty and law but it also entails understanding that sea must be safe for users and must be free from threat and disturbance to any activity," he remarked.
He added that the sea must be free from the threat of violence such as piracy, sabotage, and terrorism.
Above all, the sea must be free from navigational threat, which may put shipping safety on the line, and must be free from the threat of pollution and marine ecosystem destruction, he stated. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
