Indonesia’s Bakamla Laments Light Penalties for Foreign Ships

He told the legislators that he will bring up the issue to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD.

Bakamla seized the MT Horse and MT Freya on a number of charges, such as illegally transferring fuel, concealing the vessels’ identities, violating the right of transit passage, failing to raise their flags and turning off their AIS.

The MT Freya was also responsible for an oil spill. Bakamla also took action against the Chinese survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 03, which they intercepted on January 13.

“The [Xiang Yang Hong] went on the Indonesian sea lanes at a speed of six to eight knots, instead of the cruising speed of 10 to 11 knots,” Aan asserted.

“The ship’s lower speed is suitable for operating the sonar needed for the underwater sensors. They also turned off their AIS.” Bakamla eventually escorted the ship out of the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone.

(Writer: Achmad Nasrudin Yahya | Editor: Diamanty Meiliana, Dani Prabowo)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/02/02/19074881/bakamla-sesalkan-ringannya-sanksi-pelanggar-kapal-asing-di-indonesia?page=all#page2. 

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/02/02/12144011/bakamla-curiga-kapal-survei-china-operasikan-sensor-bawah-air-di-perairan?page=all#page2.