TNI moves to secure islands

TNI moves to secure islands

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: In its efforts to protect the
country's territory, the Indonesian Military will deploy soldiers
to three unnamed islands and Ndana Island here, an official said
on Monday.

Chief of Wirasakti Military resort, Lt. Col. Noch Bola, said
his office had reported the plan to the minister of defense and
Indonesian Military Headquarters.

"Military personnel will soon be deployed to three unnamed
islands and Ndana Island in the south of Rote Ndao regency. We
will stick to our main job, to guard the country's territory. If
there's any suspicious activity, we'll take action," he said.

The move, he said, was made following an intelligence report
of suspect activities by foreigners on the islands. East Nusa
Tenggara province is on the border of Australia and Timor Leste.

Rote Ndao Deputy Regent Bernard Pele said that residents had
spotted several months ago a foreign ship near an island to the
south of Rote Island. "When the fishermen and residents
approached, the ship departed," he said. -- JP