Indonesia is now accelerating maritime boundary settlement with its neighbors. Negotiations are in queue with several countries including Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Palau, and Timor Leste. The Director General of International Law and Treaty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a comprehensive update regarding Indonesia’s journey in finalizing its maritime boundaries with several neighbors. He also made clear points regarding challenges Indonesia is facing in negotiating tables.
On 22 August 2024, I presented my ideas on maritime boundary delimitation between Indonesia and its neighboring countries in Jakarta. It was on the consultation meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. I was there by an invitation in my capacity as a member of the expert team of the technical team of the Indonesian delegation for international maritime boundary delimitation. I have been serving in the team for more than five years now.
In addition to the expert team, also present in the meeting were the advisors. They were H.E. Hassan Wirajuda, the former Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Prof. Edy Pratomo, the former President’s Special Envoy for Maritime Boundary Delimitation, Prof. Hikmahanto Juwono, an International Law expert and the Rector of Universitas Jendral Ahmad Yani, and Prof. Sobar Sutisna, a senior academician from the Indonesian Defense University. Prof Sutisna previously served as a negotiator of Indonesia’s maritime boundary delimitation for many years.
We also had four professional/academicians in the expert team. Three others were Dr. Trismadi, a hydrographer and a retired naval officer, Prof Benjamin, a geologist from ITB, and Dr. Kresno Buntoro, a legal expert and an active naval officer. It was a great honor to have been serving with those prominent figures. I am humbled by the task.
In response to the presentation made by the Director General, I specifically presented my ideas on the issues of single or double boundary lines. As usual, I prepared animations for the purpose. I believe, it is always easier to understand the complexity of maritime boundary issues through visual explanation. I guess my presentation help the audience comprehend the issue better. I do hope that the minister will manage to incorporate our ideas into their preparation document. We look forward to seeing our maritime boundaries with our neighbors well settled.