President Jokowi Targets Bakamla as Embryo for Indonesian Coast Guard

President Jokowi shakes hands with the newly-inaugurated Chief of Bakamla at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/2). (Photo: Public Relations/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo targeted the Maritime Security Agency  (Bakamla) to be an embryo for the Indonesian Coast Guard.

“So, Bakamla is like the Indonesian Coast Guard. The regulation is still on the process so that there will be congruity. I also hope that with the appointment of Pak Aan Kurnia, in the future, this hope can be guarded and accelerated, so that we can really have Bakamla as our coast guard, with the authority to guard our waters,” President Jokowi stated after the inauguration of New Chief of Bakamla Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/2).

Meanwhile, the New Chief stated that the President asked him to answer the challenges of national interest in the sea and maritime global situation, especially in Indonesian waters.

“According to the prevailing law, I will synergize all the stakeholders. Because, currently, there are 17 overlapping laws. The President also mentioned omnibus law for maritime security affairs,” he said.

The Chief said that he will improve Bakamla’s human resources to answer current maritime challenges, especially the Natuna case. “Human resources in Bakamla came from different sources, namely the navy, national police, the army, the air force, the attorney’s office, there are civil servants and others,” he stated.

For this reason, the new Chief wants to create a standardization so when new personnel joins Bakamla, the person should understand maritime laws and international laws as well as be on the same page on law enforcement.

The Chief expressed hope to improve Bakamla’s defense equipment. “It is insufficient but as Bakamla’s Chief, I do not give up, this is a challenge for me to synergize and be present in the needed location, such as in North Natuna,” he concluded. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani