Indonesia’s recent agreement with China to jointly develop maritime resources near the Natuna Islands is being criticised as a “grave mistake”, with experts warning it could undermine Indonesia’s territorial rights and lend credibility to China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea.
During recently inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to China over the weekend, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that included plans for “maritime joint development.”
Although the joint statement avoided direct mention of energy development, Aristyo Rizka Darmawan, a lecturer in International Law at the University of Indonesia, told This Week in Asia, that it was “dangerous” for Indonesia to sign onto the document which recognises the two countries have “overlapping claims”.
“Indonesia has always been very firm in the past 10 years that we don’t have any overlapping claims with China … but this statement raises questions on that,” he said, noting this stands in contrast to the Southeast Asian country’s interests.
The move could also impact negotiations between Asean and China over a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the disputed waterway.
“If Indonesia recognises the overlapping claims as something that exists, it might change the dynamics with the negotiation of the CoC as well as the solidarity of the Asean states in facing China. China can say that Indonesia has recognised [its claims] so this could weaken the position of Asean itself,” he said.
