Head of Bakamla inaugurates three zonal command headquarters to strengthen national maritime security
Batam (ANTARA) - The Head of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Rear Admiral TNI Irvansyah, has inaugurated three Bakamla Zonal Command Headquarters (Mako) simultaneously to strengthen national maritime security.
The inauguration covers the Western Zone in Batam, the Central Zone in Manado, and the Eastern Zone in Ambon, with the Bakamla Head attending in person in Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri).
In Batam on Thursday, Irvansyah stated that the presence of these three zones is expected to increase the effectiveness of surveillance and law enforcement in Indonesia’s extensive waters.
“The one in Batam is the largest headquarters. We hope that this year the command and control centre can function optimally, so that the western, central, and eastern regions can be secured to the maximum,” he said.
The Western Zone Headquarters stands on land of approximately 16.8 hectares and is equipped with various support facilities, such as a dock, command building, harbour master’s office, command and control centre (Puskodal), multi-purpose building, clinic, official residences, and apartments.
Meanwhile, the Central Bakamla Zone is located in Kalasey I Village, Mandolang Subdistrict, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province, covering 7 hectares, equipped with the John Lie Mako Building and the Banjarmasin Bakamla Post.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Bakamla Zone is located in Hatu Village, Leihitu Barat Subdistrict, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province, covering 0.5 hectares with the Martha Cristina Tiahahu Mako Building facility.
According to him, the construction of these facilities is not only intended for operational purposes but is also expected to benefit the surrounding community.
On the same occasion, the Deputy Governor of the Riau Islands, Nyanyang Haris Pratamura, emphasised the importance of Bakamla’s presence in the Kepri region, which is dominated by waters.
“Kepri is a region dominated by sea, with only two percent land, as well as Indonesia’s gateway in the North and West. Its economic potential is great, but challenges such as smuggling and maritime violations are also high,” she said.
She assessed that Bakamla’s presence is crucial not only for surveillance but also as a coordination hub among stakeholders in maintaining maritime security.
“This inauguration is a strategic step as a centre for command and cross-sector coordination, so that various maritime disruption potentials can be prevented,” she said.
With the inauguration of these three zones, Indonesia’s maritime security system is expected to become increasingly integrated and capable of sustainably safeguarding the sovereignty and safety of its water territories.