Indonesia Invites Australia to Increase Commitment to Maintaining Maritime Security
Indonesia Invites Australia to Increase Commitment to Maintaining Maritime Security
Indonesia invites Australia to increase its commitment to maintaining joint maritime security.
This invitation was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD at the meeting “The 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM)” in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday (14/3/2023).
During the meeting, the Indonesian delegation was led by Mahfud. Meanwhile, the Australian delegation was led by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Australian Minister of Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil.
“I appreciate the agreement between Indonesia and Australia to increase maritime security cooperation, especially in efforts to maintain and create security stability in the region,” said Mahfud in a press release from the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Wednesday (15/3/2023).
Mahfud emphasized the importance of the two countries’ commitment to combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, in accordance with the agreement in the Plan of Action for Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2020-2024.
Mahfud supports the continuation of concrete cooperation between ministries and technical institutions in the maritime sector of the two countries.
“Not only under the coordination of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), but also between the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Indonesian National Army Navy, and other ministries/agencies related to maritime security with their respective counterparts in Australia,” said Mahfud.
During the meeting, Mahfud also discussed irregular movements of people using Indonesian waters, especially the influx of Rohingya refugees from Cox’s Bazar who entered Indonesian territory by sea in 2022-2023.
He said that Indonesia really appreciated Australia’s support for the influx of Rohingya refugees.
Mahfud said that Indonesia hopes that Australia will continue to support the principles of burden sharing and shared responsibility.
