REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- The Pontianak authorities have stepped up synergy to anticipate a conflict over territorial claims in South China Sea, according to First Admiral Heru Santoso, the commander of the Pontianak Main Naval Base XII.

"It has been estimated that the conflict in South China Sea might escalate due to overlapping claims by some countries that could affect Indonesia. The synergy has been constantly intensified, including with the Indonesian Air Force," he affirmed here, Monday.

The Indonesian Navy has also strengthened coordination with the Maritime Security Agency, Water Police, and other concerned parties to patrol the waters considered prone to threats, particularly the outermost maritime territories, such as the Natuna waters, according to Heru.

Indonesia shares its border with South China Sea in the northwest off Natuna Islands, Bangka Belitung Province.

The ASEAN countries that are making overlapping claims in South China Sea include Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia. They have individually confronted China that has claimed almost the entire area of South China Sea.

Military and intelligence observer Susaningtyas Kertopati stated that Indonesia, as the largest nation in the ASEAN, has played a crucial role in maintaining security and stability in the region.

According to the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry, Indonesia's maritime territories prone to illegal fishing activities are the Natuna waters and Arafura Sea and waters located in the northern Sulawesi Island.

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