JAKARTA. An expert has argued that Indonesia is in a weak position in regards to its maritime disputes with China following an incident in the Natuna Sea because Indonesian patrol boats are not recognized by the International Maritime Organization.

In accordance with a 1982 United Nations convention, the international community only recognizes two types of boats operating in Exclusive Economic Zones, namely government boats and Navy ships.

The boats must also be registered with the International Maritime Organization, said Connie Rahakundi Bakrie, president of the Indonesia Institute for Maritime Studies.

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The incident involved an Indonesian boat owned by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, an illegal Chinese fishing boat and a Chinese coast guard vessel.

"The [Indonesian] boat is not recognized by the International Maritime Organization. Even though it is a government boat, it has not been registered," Connie said on Monday as quoted by Kompas.com.

Indonesia does not effectively demarcate which institutions are responsible for protecting waters that border with other countries.

Connie has urged the government to finalize a decision on which institution will be responsible for the region. The candidates include the Marine Security Agency, the Indonesian Navy and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

Connie said the government should immediately register the boats owned by the ministry so that they will be recognized by the international community.

Connie also applauded the law enforcement measures taken by the ministry in the incident. However, he added that it was necessary to conduct administrative reform so that the measures were not taken in vain.

 As previously reported, two Chinese vessels, the fishing vessel MV Kway Fey and a Chinese coast guard vessel, were involved in an incident with an Indonesian patrol boat at around 2:15 p.m., local time, on March 19.

The Indonesian patrol boat caught the MV Kway Fey fishing illegally in the waters off Natuna.

The KP Hiu 11 patrol boat, owned by the ministry, approached the fishing vessel and apprehended eight of its crew members. The patrol officers were about to escort the MV Kway Fey from the scene when a Chinese coast guard vessel approached and rammed the fishing vessel. It is suspected that this was done to prevent Indonesian authorities from confiscating the Chinese fishing vessel.

To avoid a conflict, Indonesian patrol boat officers left the MV Kway Fey and returned to the KP Hiu 11 command with the eight arrested crew members.