Indonesian Coast Guard: Solutions to Complex Maritime Challenges
Indonesian Coast Guard: Solutions to Complex Maritime Challenges
The Indonesian SEA, as the center of life for coastal communities, has a strategic role involving national security and state sovereignty.
The existence of vast seas provides challenges and opportunities that require a holistic approach to maintain ecosystem sustainability and national security.
Bearing this in mind, the Indonesian Government on June 27 2023, has taken a bold step by establishing the Indonesian Coast Guard, an institution that was created through a fusion process between two main entities, namely the Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) and the Maritime and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP).
The decision to form the Indonesian Coast Guard was more than just a response to a concrete threat. This step is also an important milestone in making Indonesia a strong and safe maritime country.
The hope is that the Indonesian Coast Guard will be at the forefront in protecting maritime sovereignty and national interests throughout Indonesia’s territorial waters.
Strategic role
Not only that, the Indonesian Coast Guard is expected to not only be a response to concrete threats at sea, but also as an important pillar in forming Indonesia as a strong and safe maritime country.
At the same time, in the midst of maritime dynamics, the Indonesian Coast Guard, as a maritime security institution, also plays a strategic role in supporting the preservation of the marine environment and development of the marine economy.
Because one of the main roles carried out by the Indonesian Coast Guard includes preserving the marine environment.
By carrying out patrols and monitoring, they are able to identify and overcome activities that can damage the marine ecosystem.
Marine pollution, illegal fishing and illegal trade are the main focus of prevention efforts carried out by the Indonesian Coast Guard.
So, they are not only supervisors of the marine environment, but also guardians who ensure that marine resources remain sustainable for future generations.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Coast Guard does not only focus on physical security aspects, but also supports research and development activities in the maritime sector.
These efforts encourage innovation and increased productivity in the maritime sector, opening up new opportunities for sailors, fishermen and the maritime industry as a whole.
Not to forget, the Indonesian Coast Guard can contribute to the empowerment of coastal communities. Through assistance and assistance, they help coastal communities optimize their marine potential.
By providing access to resources and training, the Indonesian Coast Guard becomes a partner that not only maintains physical security, but also strengthens the capacity and competitiveness of coastal communities.
Apart from that, the Indonesian Coast Guard also participates in supporting maritime education and training. By providing facilities and teaching staff, they support the education of prospective sailors, fishermen and other maritime workers.
This step not only improves their skills, but also ensures that human resources in the marine sector have a deep understanding of environmental and economic responsibilities.
Thus, the role of the Indonesian Coast Guard is not only limited to maritime security, but also includes dimensions of marine environmental preservation, marine economic development, maritime diplomacy, education and empowerment of coastal communities.
Maintaining the EEZ
In this way, Indonesian waters will become a safe, stable zone and make a positive contribution to the sustainability of national development.
The Indonesian Coast Guard is present as a crucial element in protecting Indonesia’s territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Law Number 32 of 2014 concerning Maritime Affairs, which has been amended by Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation (Marine Law), plays a central role in providing a comprehensive and integrated legal framework for the management of Indonesia’s maritime areas.
Therefore, the implementation of the Indonesian Coas Guard as the front guard is not only responsible for maritime security, but also plays an important role in protecting the country’s sovereignty.
By monitoring and patrolling the territorial sea and EEZ, they prevent potential external threats and ensure that Indonesia’s territorial waters remain under national control.
In this way, the Indonesia Coast Guard is not only a maritime law enforcement agency, but also a major stakeholder in protecting Indonesia’s seas.
Their role is not only reactive to threats, but also proactive in formulating water security and safety policies.
Their ability to respond quickly to emergency situations, develop early warning systems, and carry out action against violations, the Coast Guard has become a critical force that supports the integrity of Indonesia’s seas. Hence existence
The Coast Guard has a significant impact on aspects of national security.
Through patrol, surveillance and enforcement operations, they can prevent illegal infiltration, illegal trade and other activities that could harm national interests.
Just mentioning illegal trade, on the Science Advances page it is explained that the illicit trade in illegal fish catches, with an estimate of between 8 and 14 million metric tonnes of catch involved each year, means that the sustainability and inclusiveness of the benefits of renewable marine resources is being threatened.
The significant economic impacts, including gross revenues and losses resulting from diversion of fish from legitimate trade, underscore the urgency of tackling fishing.
Playing a role involves supervision
Bearing this in mind, the Indonesian Coast Guard, far more than just a security entity, actually plays a strategic role that involves monitoring illegal activities in Indonesian waters.
Their functions extend beyond protective aspects and explore broader dimensions than traditional roles.
So as the guardian of sovereignty, the Indonesian Coast Guard also has the main responsibility in maintaining the security and sovereignty of the country in its territorial waters.
However, their role does not stop there, but involves more complex tasks in tackling disturbing illegal activities at sea.
In this way, they are a key element in maintaining the territorial integrity of Indonesia’s waters, not only from physical threats, but also from the potential negative impacts of illegal activities.
This indicates that the Coast Guard is not just a guard, but also a maritime law enforcer who makes a significant contribution in ensuring compliance with maritime regulations and laws.
By monitoring and tackling illegal activities such as illegal fishing, drug smuggling and other violations, they create a deterrent effect against perpetrators of crimes at sea.
Therefore, the Indonesian Coast Guard has a role that includes aspects of protecting state sovereignty and enforcing maritime law, forming a solid foundation for the sustainability and security of Indonesia’s territorial waters.
The Coast Guard has a primary role in monitoring illegal activities in Indonesian waters, including illegal fishing, drug smuggling and other violations.
Their presence is an effective deterrent against potential violations of the law, helping to maintain the integrity of Indonesia’s territorial waters.
In the context of sustainable use of marine resources, the Coast Guard tackles illegal fishing, protecting the sustainability of marine resources and local fishermen.
They ensure that every fishing activity complies with regulations, creating a healthy and sustainable marine environment.
The Coast Guard is active in dealing with drug smuggling and other criminal activities in Indonesian waters. As maritime law enforcers, they respond quickly to transnational crime, creating maritime zones free from the threat of drugs and criminal activities.
Challenge: lack of resources
The Indonesian Coast Guard, as the guardian of sovereignty and enforcer of maritime law, in reality cannot avoid the challenges that arise in carrying out its crucial role.
Some of the challenges faced include a lack of resources and the increasing complexity of tasks.
In this context, concrete steps need to be taken to ensure that the Coast Guard remains effective in maintaining national security and the sustainability of marine resources.
The Coast Guard’s sustainability is inseparable from solving the resource shortage problems they face.
Increasing resource allocation is a crucial first step to ensuring that the Coast Guard has adequate equipment and personnel. This involves increasing investment in the purchase and maintenance of patrol vessels, monitoring equipment and training facilities.
Correspondingly, increasing operational budgets will help overcome logistical and technical challenges that may arise during their operations.
Improved training is also a key element in dealing with the increasing complexity of tasks. The Coast Guard requires skilled and trained personnel to carry out its duties effectively.
Therefore, a comprehensive and ongoing training program must be developed to improve the operational, managerial, and technical skills of Coast Guard personnel.
The training not only covers operational aspects, but also preparation in facing new and developing security challenges, such as maritime cybercrime and environmental threats.
International cooperation is also a very important pillar in ensuring the success of the Coast Guard.
Challenges in territorial waters know no national borders, and international engagement can strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to transboundary threats.
This cooperation includes intelligence exchange, operational coordination, and engagement in joint exercises with neighboring countries and regional partners.
By jointly addressing challenges, the Coast Guard can build a strong maritime security network in the region.
Full support for the Indonesian Coast Guard is not only the government’s responsibility, but is also a very important investment for the sustainable and safe future of Indonesia’s seas.
Their success in carrying out their duties not only creates strong sovereignty, but also ensures that Indonesia’s marine resources are utilized sustainably.
The public needs to support the steps necessary to strengthen the Coast Guard, both through a better understanding of their role and through active participation in efforts to strengthen maritime security.
By proactively facing challenges and shaping the future of the Indonesian Coast Guard, the country can ensure that its territorial waters remain safe, the sustainability of marine resources is guaranteed, and the community can enjoy the benefits of its natural wealth.
The Indonesian Coast Guard is the front guard in protecting Indonesia’s seas, and investment in their sustainability and effectiveness will have far-reaching positive impacts, not only for national security, but also for the nation’s prosperity and future.
