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Indonesian Defense Minister: TNI Needs to Be Present in Outer Islands
Wednesday, 21 December, 2005 | 07:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The presence of the Indonesian Military (TNI) is required to secure the outer islands in Indonesia. Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said that the issues were particularly related to the mineral content in these islands.

“We want to have the presence of Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers, ships or planes consistently so that these areas are protected from the possible occupation by foreigners,” stated Sudarsono at TNI headquarters (HQ) in Cilangkap, Jakarta, on Tuesday (20/12).

Sudarsono said that there were some critical points on the outer islands in Indonesia. The Indonesian Defense Department is still reviewing the criteria of these serious matters.

Based on the report of the Indonesian Home Affairs Department, 12 out of 92 outer islands have been prioritized to be secured. The 12 islands include Rondo in Aceh, Berhala in North Sumatra, Nipah and Sekatung in the Riau Islands, Marampit, Marore, Miangas in North Sulawesi, Fani in West Irian Jaya, Fanildo and Bras islands in Papua and Dana and Batek in East Nusa Tenggara.

According to Sudarsono, the significant points, referring to the case of Ambalat, are related to the mineral content on the islands.

Indonesian Military (TNI) General Chief of Staff Territorial Assistant Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma’arif thinks that the TNI will continue to defend the land. “This is not a matter of critical and non-critical or crucial and non-crucial. The task of the Indonesian Military (TNI) is to defend and maintain our land,” said Ma’arif. (Fanny Febiana-Tempo News Room)