House passes law endorsing archipelagic state concept

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives passed a law yesterday that gives legitimacy to Indonesia's claim to be an archipelagic state.

The 27 articles of the Law on Indonesian Territorial Waters spell out among others the sovereignty, jurisdiction and the rights as well as obligations of Indonesia over the 5.8 million square kilometers of land and water it claims sovereignty over.

Under the archipelagic state concept, Indonesia claims sovereignty over the waters that lie between the islands, put by the government at 17,508. Indonesia has also stated a 20-mile zone of sovereignty and a 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The bill, which was presented by the government, was endorsed by all four factions of the House at a plenary session led by deputy speaker Soetedjo. Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman represented the government at the session.

The law, which replaces the 1960 Law on Indonesian Territorial Waters, now awaits President Soeharto's signature for approval.

Oetojo said a new law was deemed necessary in view of changes that have taken place since 1960, including the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, which recognizes the archipelagic state concept.

The UN convention, to which Indonesia is a signatory, formally came into effect last year after a protracted debate in the face of strong objections from the United States and other major powers.

Indonesia declared itself an archipelagic state as far back as 1957, asserting its right to exercise sovereignty and exploit the resources in the vast sea that it claims, as well as control over some of the international sea lanes that pass through the archipelago.

Indonesia is currently also negotiating to delineate its sea boundaries with Vietnam to the north and Australia to the south where there are overlapping territorial claims.

The law was passed ahead of the government's announcement, expected this week, deregulating the fishing industry in a bid to bolster the country's economic fishing potential.

Legislator H.J. Hutagaol, representing the majority Golkar faction at the session, urged the government to resolve quickly existing territorial disputes with neighboring countries.

The United Development Party (PPP) faction, represented by H. Masrur Javas, underlined the need for Indonesia to protect its maritime interests, noting that current arrangements are still inadequate.

Citing government figures, Masrur said fishery resources from Indonesia's vast sea territory could potentially reach 6.7 million tons a year, comprising 4.4 million tons from the 20-mile zone and another 2.3 million from the exclusive economic zone.

Indonesia currently manages to catch only 3. 05 million tons a year, or less than half of the potential, he noted.

Soeharjanto, representing the Armed Forces faction, said the government should notify the United Nations of the geographical coordinates of the territorial claims resulting from the new law. (14)