Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Moeldoko has said the TNI was looking for the best possible way to sink foreign vessels fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.
"I have ordered the Naval chief of staff to find the best possible way in accordance with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos instruction to sink foreign illegal fishing vessels in Indonesian waters so as not to reap global criticism," Moeldoko stated.
The TNI chief was speaking at a meeting with his ranking officers after opening a joint Tri Matra IX 2014 terrorist handling exercise at Halim Perdanakusuma on Monday.
He stressed that while he wanted the TNI to carry out the Presidents order, he also wanted it to take a subjective view.
Therefore, he held the meeting with the TNI high-ranking officers to discuss more elegant ways that may be internationally acceptable to sink foreign vessels caught fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.
"More importantly, Indonesia is as firm as any other country against illegal fishing and other illegal activities," the TNI chief stressed.
After attending a ceremony to mark the 43rd anniversary of Indonesian Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) at the Navy Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Moeldoko announced that the TNI will step up patrolling across Indonesian waters.
"The TNI Western Fleet Command and Eastern Fleet Command will conduct patrols across Indonesian waters to deal with illegal fishing activities," he noted.
Meanwhile, Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio observed that although the Indonesian Air Force has the main radar, the Navy has also installed its radar along the Malacca Strait.
"We have covered the entire Malacca Strait. Besides that, the Navy also has a warship as mobile radar to make surface, air, and underwater contacts," Marsetio remarked.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
