Maritime security has remained a major concern for the administration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who will soon succeed President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Recent data from the International Maritime Bureau revealed that 55 cases of piracy occurred in Indonesian waters in 2023, 38 of which occurred in the Singapore Strait − the world’s busiest maritime trade route − and 17 in Indonesia’s domestic waters.
Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa, a maritime observer from the Alumni Association of Lemhannas Strategic Center (ISC), said that the increase in piracy cases indicates Indonesia’s weak maritime security management and surveillance system.
“The Singapore Strait is a major trade route that is highly vulnerable to piracy. The inability of our security system to overcome the challenges on the ground shows how difficult it is to raise Indonesia’s Maritime Security Index to a better level. This condition is one of the reasons that makes international investors think twice before pouring their investment into our maritime sector,” Marcellus said in a statement on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
According to the latest data from the Global Maritime Crime Program, piracy and sea crime cause global economic losses of more than US$15 billion each year. These sea crimes not only impact the economic stability of developing countries such as Indonesia but also raise concerns over the increasing security of global trade.
Marcellus identified that budget constraints and lack of funding allocation for the maritime security sector are the root of the problem that needs to be addressed by the government.
“Without adequate budget support and a quick decision on the establishment of a strong Indonesian Coast Guard entity, be it Bakamla or transportation ministry ’s sea and coast guard unit (KPLP) efforts to strengthen maritime surveillance will always be hampered,” he said.
He highlighted that Bakamla’s current budget is only around 0.2 percent of Indonesia’s total defense budget, far from sufficient to deal with increasingly complex marine security challenges.
Strong Coast Guard
He added that the presence of a strong Coast Guard is not only as a law enforcer but also as a symbol of maritime sovereignty that can improve Indonesia’s bargaining position in the eyes of the international community.
“We need a Coast Guard equipped with the authority and advanced technology, such as long-range detection radars, surveillance drones, and a fleet of fast patrol vessels, to effectively tackle piracy and other maritime threats,” Marcellus said.
He emphasized the importance of international collaboration to maintain stability in vital trade lanes such as the Singapore Strait.
“Strategic cooperation with neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, as well as global partner countries such as Japan, the United States, and even China should be further strengthened to create a safe zone in the Southeast Asian region,” he said, while citing that this collaboration could include joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated patrols to improve the effectiveness of surveillance in the waters.
Marcellus emphasized that maritime security issues should be viewed as a national priority issue, not only from a defense aspect but also from a broader economic and geopolitical perspective.
“The new administration under President Prabowo Subianto should make maritime security a key strategic agenda by implementing targeted policies, providing adequate budget, and strengthening solid international cooperation,” he said.
