TNI Strengthens Military Installations in Tanjung Datuk

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) will strengthen its military installations in Tanjung Datuk in Sambas District, West Kalimantan, to demonstrate the existence of the Republic of Indonesia and provide security to all levels of society. The TNI commander, General Moeldoko, after inaugurating the Media Center of the TNI information center here on Wednesday said the military has met with the West Kalimantan governor, Sambas district chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the foreign affairs ministry, the coordinating ministry for political and security affairs and related institutions to discuss the necessary issues, following the Indonesian protest against Malaysia, which allegedly built a lighthouse in the Tanjung Datuk island. According to Moeldoko, Sambas regent in the meeting said he often received complaints from fishermen who were driven out by Malaysian authorities in the sea near Tanjung Datuk, in addition to communication access which is also weak. The military chief also stated that TNI will provide protection to the fishermen who catch fish in the Tanjung Datuk waters. "We need to provide certainty to the fishermen that no one will disturb them while they earn a living. Malaysia should not repel our fishermen," Moeldoko stressed. (*)