The Navy reiterates the urgency of the proposed bill on the continental shelf to be passed by the House to ensure that we have a legal basis for our negotiation on continental shelf issues with neighbouring countries
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Navy's Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono presented the Navy’s official views on the proposed amendment bill on Law No. 1 of 1973 on Continental Shelf deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR RI).

"The Navy reiterates the urgency of the proposed bill on the continental shelf to be passed by the House to ensure that we have a legal basis for our negotiation on continental shelf issues with neighbouring countries," Admiral Margono stated here, Friday.

The bill would serve as a legal basis for asserting Indonesia's claim and sovereignty over the 200 nautical miles of continental shelf and ascertain law enforcement within the shelf, he remarked.

During a hearing meeting on the continental shelf bill with the DPR on Thursday, Admiral Margono welcomed the bill deliberations and urged to pass it to ascertain Indonesia's legal basis on the continental shelf.

Related news: Indonesia supports blue economy development at 15th ANCM

He supported the proposed amendment bill deliberations as a law should be adaptive to respond to international developments and consensus or innovations.

"Development of law is a continuous process to adapt to new and relevant innovations, technology, and international consensus affecting our interest," Margono stated.

He expressed hope that the bill apart from asserting Indonesia's sovereignty over the continental shelf would also elucidate management, protection, monitoring, and law enforcement within the continental shelf.

Related news: Marine space management will lead to blue economy application: govt

Apart from Admiral Margono, the Navy was represented by Head of the Navy's Hydro-Oceanographic Centre Vice Admiral Agung Prasetiawan, Navy Chief of Staff Operational Assistant Vice Admiral Dadi Hartanto, and other Navy officials.

Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency Head Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia also attended the hearing to present official views on law enforcement within the domain of the agency.

Apart from the Navy and the Maritime Security Agency, several MPs from the PDIP, PKS, PAN, and PPP parliamentary fractions presented their views, generally supporting the bill.


Related news: Japan donated 15 ambulances to Papua, West Papua: Health ministry

Related news: JDP hopes peace in West Papua undisrupted following soldiers' killing

Translator: M Jasuma F, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021