REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- A senior minister of Indonesia said here on Monday that the country does not want to end up in a dispute with China over the South China Sea issue.
"We do not want any dispute with China," Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan stated at the Presidential Palace.
Luhut was summoned to the palace by President Joko Widodo to seek a report about the South China Sea problem. Foreign minister Retno Marsudi was also summoned to the palace in the same connection.
Luhut disclosed that he discussed the issue with the president and international law experts would be consulted about it.
"We will see what is the most elegant way to settle it. Actually, there is no reason for Indonesia to have a problem with China because Indonesia's position is clear with regard to the rules that must be adhered to, including the Exclusive Economic Zone. It is all very clear," he explained.
Regarding China's claim over its traditional fishing ground, Luhut reminded that Indonesia had never recognized it.
In view of that, he observed, the Indonesian government is seeking options to resolve the South China Sea issue.
"We need not respond (to China's protests). What is important is that we are looking for a solution. We are neighbors and have good relations with China but we cannot sacrifice our sovereignty," he added.
China has protested armed attack on a Chinese fishing boat by the Indonesian navy. Luhut stressed that the action was taken according to applicable procedures and regulations.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi recalled that the navy's action to detain the Chinese ship and arrest its crew in the Natuna Islands waters on June 17 was consistent with the law on the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone.
"In essence, we displayed consistency in the three incidents in a row to reinforce the Exclusive Economic Zone law," he argued after attending a hearing with House Commission I on Monday.
The move to detain the Chinese ship in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone on June 17 was the third incident. Earlier incidents had happened in March and May 2016.
"If it happens again, we will take the same action because such action in the EEZ will be in line with international laws," he reiterated.
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