VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Military and intelligence observer Susaningtyas Nefo Handayani Kertopati believes that Indonesia has the potential as a gateway and center for maritime economic activity, as well as a maritime buffer in the region.

 

 "Indonesia's geostrategy in the international trade route between the continents of Australia and Asia and between the Indian and Pacific Oceans puts Indonesia in possession of waters which are one of the arteries of international trade," said Susaningtyas as a speaker at the National Seminar with the theme "Rebuilding maritime culture.  Indonesia through Indonesian maritime policy with an Indonesian maritime defense strategy "at the Seskoal Building, Cipulir, South Jakarta, Tuesday.

 

 Indonesia, he continued, has 4 choke points out of 9 choke points in the world with more than 40 percent of total world trade through Indonesian waters, 70 percent of world fisheries are in Asia Pacific, and 30 percent of world fishery products are supplied from Indonesia.

 

 However, apart from having great potential to become a gateway to maritime economic activity, Indonesia's territorial waters can also be the biggest threat to the nation.

 

 "This also makes Indonesia vulnerable to security threats that can cause instability in the region," said Nuning, Susaningtyas' nickname.

 

 Currently, said Nuning, there is China's aggressiveness which has a large economic and military power (hard power) to control the Indopacific trade route by building several ports in participating countries for free.

 

 "Everything is done for China's strategic interests which of course can bring threats in the region," he said.

 

 On the other hand, the United States together with Japan, India and Australia have also formed a strategic alliance called The Quad to strengthen the concept of free and open Indo Pacific (free and open Indo-Pacific).

 

 Indirectly, he said, these efforts were also to carry out the function of restraining China's influence in the region.

 

 "Recently the alliance has also begun to garner support from ASEAN countries," said Nuning. (Antaranews)