TNI to build post on Patek Island

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

In the wake of the country's defeat in a territorial dispute over the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, the Indonesian Military (TNI) plans to build a security post and place its personnel on the remote island of Patek in East Nusa Tenggara.

Patek island, located close to international sea lines, borders with the East Timor enclave of Oecussi and is about five nautical miles off Natemnanu village in the provincial capital of Kupang. The island is uninhabited.

Local military commander Col. Moeswarno Moesanip said on Tuesday the security post was necessary as more officials from East Timor and other countries had recently been seen visiting Patek, one of 566 islands in East Nusa Tenggara,

East Timorese people have frequently made day trips to the island, according to Moeswarno.

He said the report of intensifying visits of foreign officials to Patek was provided by Indonesian representatives in East Timor.

The military commander added he and Governor Piet A. Tallo had responded to the report by visiting the island recently.

Moesanip said a group of military personnel, to be equipped with navigation equipment and sea transportation, would be deployed to maintain Indonesia's sovereignty over the island.

Governor Tallo confirmed the trip to Patek and said the local government did not intend to ban foreigners from visiting the small island.

"Nobody will be restricted from visiting the island, as long as it is for tourist interests and not to trigger a secessionist movement," Tallo told The Jakarta Post.

The Ministry of Transportation has built a lighthouse on the island.

"To confirm the country's sovereignty over the island, I have talked to the military commander and people in Natemnanu village and decided to raise a national flag on top of the lighthouse," Tallo said.

He added the provincial government had asked Jakarta to take the issue into consideration in a bid to prevent the loss of more islands.