TNI to build post on Patek Island
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.