Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the government would ascertain whether the location of the collision between Indonesian war ship KRI Tjiptadi-381 and Vietnam fisheries watchdog on Saturday (April 27) in the North Natuna Sea was a territory of dispute.

During Afternoon Tea with reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, Luhut said he was currently awaiting the results of the investigation.

"Now, a thorough investigation is being carried out. It will be checked on Google Maps whether or not the area is under dispute," he said.
Luhut said that at this time, it was important to ascertain what had happened during the incident instead of being reactive.

"We are ascertaining what happened, is it 'overlapping'? We do not want to rush; do not get angry," he said.

The former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs said that one of the things that must be evaluated was the need to harmonize regulations concerning the authority of maritime security which should be carried out by the Marine Security Agency (Bakamla).

According to him, the harmonization of regulations would later ensure clear authority to the Bakamla (Indonesian coast guard).

"So later, it will be like an international coast guard," he said.

Translator: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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