Indonesian Maritime Boundary Sign Disapears in Riau

Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara) - The Indonesian maritime boundary sign, marking the waters of Indonesia and Malaysia in Bantan Sub-district of Bengkalis District, Riau Province, reportedly disappear due to abrasion from seawater. The Head of Bengkalis Border Management Agency, Muhammad Amin, told media here on Saturday that previously there were two boundary signs in the area. The first sign, named "86A", is located in Muntai waters of Bantan District, and another sign, "86B", is located in Rhu Gulf, North Rupat Sub-district of Bengkalis. The Navy, while recently patrolling in the area of Muntai waters, found that the signs had disappeared. Amin said the border signs were destroyed by harsh seawater. The agency noted that the loss of the signs would not affect the border agreement between Indonesia and Malaysia since the border markings have been recognized internationally. However, he said, the border signs are also important and the government should again post signs. "The international community noted that the signs are important as a main element of boundary agreement of a nation. The signs also determine Indonesian sovereignty," Amin said. The basic point sign is the primary delineation within 12 miles of the open sea as a territorial sea and 24 miles as an additional zone, as well as 200 miles that are considered an Exclusive Economic Zone. (*)