House passes law endorsing archipelagic state concept<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives passed a law
\nyesterday that gives legitimacy to Indonesia's claim to be an
\narchipelagic state.<\/p>\n
The 27 articles of the Law on Indonesian Territorial Waters
\nspell out among others the sovereignty, jurisdiction and the
\nrights as well as obligations of Indonesia over the 5.8 million
\nsquare kilometers of land and water it claims sovereignty over.<\/p>\n
Under the archipelagic state concept, Indonesia claims
\nsovereignty over the waters that lie between the islands, put by
\nthe government at 17,508. Indonesia has also stated a 20-mile
\nzone of sovereignty and a 200-mile exclusive economic zone.<\/p>\n
The bill, which was presented by the government, was endorsed
\nby all four factions of the House at a plenary session led by
\ndeputy speaker Soetedjo. Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman
\nrepresented the government at the session.<\/p>\n
The law, which replaces the 1960 Law on Indonesian Territorial
\nWaters, now awaits President Soeharto's signature for approval.<\/p>\n
Oetojo said a new law was deemed necessary in view of changes
\nthat have taken place since 1960, including the signing of the
\nUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, which
\nrecognizes the archipelagic state concept.<\/p>\n
The UN convention, to which Indonesia is a signatory, formally
\ncame into effect last year after a protracted debate in the face
\nof strong objections from the United States and other major
\npowers.<\/p>\n
Indonesia declared itself an archipelagic state as far back as
\n1957, asserting its right to exercise sovereignty and exploit the
\nresources in the vast sea that it claims, as well as control over
\nsome of the international sea lanes that pass through the
\narchipelago.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is currently also negotiating to delineate its sea
\nboundaries with Vietnam to the north and Australia to the south
\nwhere there are overlapping territorial claims.<\/p>\n
The law was passed ahead of the government's announcement,
\nexpected this week, deregulating the fishing industry in a bid to
\nbolster the country's economic fishing potential.<\/p>\n
Legislator H.J. Hutagaol, representing the majority Golkar
\nfaction at the session, urged the government to resolve quickly
\nexisting territorial disputes with neighboring countries.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) faction, represented by H.
\nMasrur Javas, underlined the need for Indonesia to protect its
\nmaritime interests, noting that current arrangements are still
\ninadequate.<\/p>\n
Citing government figures, Masrur said fishery resources from
\nIndonesia's vast sea territory could potentially reach 6.7
\nmillion tons a year, comprising 4.4 million tons from the 20-mile
\nzone and another 2.3 million from the exclusive economic zone.<\/p>\n
Indonesia currently manages to catch only 3. 05 million tons a
\nyear, or less than half of the potential, he noted.<\/p>\n
Soeharjanto, representing the Armed Forces faction, said the
\ngovernment should notify the United Nations of the geographical
\ncoordinates of the territorial claims resulting from the new law.
\n(14)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-passes-law-endorsing-archipelagic-state-concept-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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