Meeting and Discussion on Maritime Security Issues in Indonesia

On Wednesday February 13th, 2013, The Habibie Center was honoured to host a visit by the Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral (VADM) Scott Swift and his delegation for a Meeting and Discussion on Maritime Security Issues in Indonesia. Held at The Habibie Center office in Jakarta, the purpose of VADM Scott Swift visit was to meet Indonesian experts and scholars from outside the military. The eight-strong delegation was greeted by The Habibie Center Executive Director, Ms. Rahimah Abdulrahim who began by introducing the Indonesian experts and scholars present. These included Prof. Dr. Hasjim Djalal, Ambassador Abu Hartono, Prof. Dr. Indira Samego and Ms. Connie Bakrie.

VADM Scott Swift gave an overview of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and its area of responsibility, namely the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted the fact that two of three largest economies and seven of the ten largest militaries existed in the Asia-Pacific region. On Indonesia, VADM Scott Swift noted the country was perfectly positioned to be a regional bridge given its geographic, demographic and political situation. He further added Indonesia naval deployment in U.N. Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon was a testament to Indonesia growing naval maturity and capabilities.

Prof. Dr. Hasjim Djalal outlined Indonesia main concerns, especially the maintenance of national unity against external and internal threats; a permanent concern ever since independence. Other concerns highlighted include the fear that sooner or later the South China Sea issue may one day become a problem for Jakarta, the need to conclude Indonesiaremaining unresolved maritime borders with its immediate neighbours, and the need to strengthen its naval capabilities without alarming the region.

Noting the role of ASEAN, it was agreed that ASEAN Centrality was critically important for the region and VADM Scott Swift praised the regional organisation for its inclusiveness via its ASEAN Plus” arrangements. The discussion, which was frank and open in nature, allowed the Indonesian experts and scholars to raise a number of other incidents and concerns currently felt within government and academic circles. There was agreement among all those in attendance that the issue of trust was an important element which had to be continually renewed.

The other members of the U.S delegation were CAPT Adrian Jansen, POLAD Debbie Kingsland, CDR Scott Tait, LT Tony Hollins, CMC Tyler Schoeppey, LCDR Thomas Luna and the Deputy Political Counsellor Security Affairs.

Source : Habibiecenter