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