The TNI should immediately strengthen its under-sea surveillance, so that no person can buy and sell data in the Indonesian territory and work for foreign parties
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy House Speaker Azis Syamsuddin called on the Indonesian Navy to bolster underwater surveillance after several drones, or seagliders, were discovered in the Malacca Strait and other parts of the Indonesian waters.

The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) must immediately verify which foreign party sent the drone, the Golkar politician noted in a statement here on Wednesday.

"The TNI should immediately strengthen its under-sea surveillance, so that no person can buy and sell data in the Indonesian territory and work for foreign parties," the legislator stated.

Syamsuddin urged the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to comprehensively probe the discovery of seagliders.

"If there are officers involved in facilitating the entry of foreign military assets into the territory of the Republic of Indonesia illegally, then it must be dealt with firmly," he remarked.

Indonesia's strategic position has resulted in several foreign countries having certain agenda in the Indonesian oceans that connect the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, to the Pacific Ocean.

"Maritime security at this time needs to be a priority, not only at the sea surface but also underwater. Hence, the government must make changes to the supporting infrastructure," he noted.

The deputy house speaker urged the government to modernize its defense system, with the application of a mature and strategic plan, as it is crucial to take precautionary measures against threats.

Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono had earlier stated that the underwater drone found by fishermen in the Selayar waters, South Sulawesi, was a seaglider deployed for underwater research.

"This tool is a 'seaglider'. Widely used for survey purposes or to obtain oceanographic data in the sea, under the ocean," Margono told the press at the Indonesian Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Center (Pushidrosal) in North Jakarta on Monday (Jan 4).

A seaglider can be deployed for various purposes, ranging from industrial interests, surveys to military interests owing to its ability to map certain conditions.

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Translator: Imam B, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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