REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NATUNA -- Indonesian Military Chief Air Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto said 2,000 soldiers would be moved mainly from Java to the Natuna islands in the Riau Islands province to man military facilities being built there. The deployment of military personnel, marines or combat troops is only a change in control, Hadi said.

"Start with artillery battalion, radar units and marines," Hadi said after a working visit to the border island including to inspect various military facilities being built in the country's outermost islands.

Hadi also visited a port project being built in Selat Lampa, helicopter hangar and a hospital. "Hopefully in mid May, 2019 , the facilities could be commissioned that by phases equipment would be prepared in the Natuna islands," he said.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, who accompanied the country's military chief on the working visit, expressed approval for military build-up in the border area.

"The facilities are needed to strengthen the country's defense and security against possible foreign intervention," Bambang said.

Also accompanying Hadi in the visit included chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Oesman Sapta Odang, Chief of the Army Strategic Command Let.Gen. Agus Kriswanto, and a number of other senior military commanders and parliament members.

Bambang said Natuna borders on conflict area of South China Sea in which big Powers, China and the United States, have indicated strong interest. Therefore, the Commission I of the Parliament should discuss and consider raising defense budget for Natuna, he said.

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