Chinese vessel in Natuna: Indonesia’s response ‘shows resolve’ by new Prabowo government without harming ties, say analysts

As such, he expects Mr Prabowo to be deploying more “politically less sensitive large white hulls” like Bakamla and Indonesia Sea and Coast Guard boats, as compared to grey hulls belonging to the Indonesian Navy.

“This is to send a message that Indonesia does not want to fight but remains cognisant of what goes on within its territorial waters and the EEZ,” Mr Ridzwan added. The EEZ is the zone within 200 nautical miles of the coast of a state, over which it has exclusive rights regarding exploration and use of marine resources.

International relations expert Yohanes Sulaiman of Jenderal Achmad Yani University in West Java said the recent maritime dispute will not significantly affect China-Indonesia relations in the short term. This is especially with Indonesia added as a partner country to BRICS, a bloc in which China holds considerable influence, on Thursday (Oct 24). 

“I don’t think he has already decided to push a more aggressive posture against China,” Associate Professor Yohanes said. In power for only five days, Mr Prabowo is likely preoccupied with various domestic priorities, he said.

Indonesia joining BRICS as a partner country could also be perceived as Mr Prabowo wanting to “maintain the status quo”.

“He needs to make a statement, one that is critical of China’s action but also trying to calm the tension, knowing that he needs China to fulfil his economic agenda,” said Mr Radityo Dharmaputra, a lecturer from Indonesia’s Airlangga University.

Mr Prabowo’s first foreign trip as president-elect was to China, which has become Indonesia’s top trading partner. While Indonesia’s natural resources such as coal and nickel help to power the Chinese economy, China has also invested in Indonesian infrastructure and other projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway.