"We will deploy the troops to maximise the monitoring."Natuna, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The government plans to increase its military presence this year on the Natuna Islands, Riau Islands Province, according to an official.
"The deployment of soldiers in Natuna is very urgent. So we have decided to add more troops to our battalion," Indonesian Army Regional Military Commander I Bukit Barisan Major General Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus stated here on Friday.
He said an increase of troops was necessary to maintain the sovereignty and integrity of Indonesia.
"The distance between Batam and Natuna is very far, so we will deploy the troops to maximise the monitoring," Lodewijk explained.
He noted the deployment was meant to minimise the threat from other countries.
"However, we cannot work alone. Participation of local government and police is needed," he added.
Natuna is one of the northernmost island groups of Indonesia.
Natuna Islands lie to the south of Vietnam and Cambodia, east of Singapore and Malaysia, and north of East Malaysia and West Kalimantan.
(Uu.I025/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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