Foreign Affairs Dept. Should Feel Challenged

VIVAnews - Indonesia has lost Sipadan and Ligitan island as a result of the International Court of Justice decision that stated the two islands are part of Malaysian territory. Related to territorial boundaries, the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Adm. Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno hopes that the Foreign Affairs Department will take more preventive actions.

"I hope the Foreign Affairs Department feels challenged to discuss this issue [territorial boundaries]," said Purdijatno when interviewed at the parliamentary complex, Jakarta, Thursday, Feb. 12.

Recently, Indonesia and Singapore have agreed on a new border on northern part of Nipa Island. This official agreement will be followed by a signed agreement on February 2009. According to Purdijatno, the Foreign Affairs Department should do the same thing with regard to Philippine's claim that a part of its sea is inside the Myngas island, North Sulawesi.

What happened to Sipadan and Ligitan should not be allowed to happen to Myngas. "If they feel challenged, they should discuss it diplomatically. This is the Foreign Affairs Department's domain," he added.

Indonesia, an archipelagic country, shares its borders with many countries.  Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste with regard to land territory, and Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore with regard to water territory. Meanwhile its maritime jurisdiction borders Australia, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Palau Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, and Timor Leste.

Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman