REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KOTABARU -- President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the government would buy more patrol boats in 2015 to protect its territorial waters from foreign illegal fishing vessels.

"I have instructed the finance minister to provide as many patrol boats as possible next year," President Jokowi remarked during the commemoration of Nusantara Day here on Monday.

The President noted that the procurement of as many patrol boats as possible was needed to eradicate illegal fishing activities in Indonesian waters.

"With ample patrol boats, we can completely stop any foreign vessel trying to enter Indonesian waters for fishing illegally. If need be, we will sink them," Jokowi added.

But, he cautioned, the sinking of foreign illegal fishing vessels should be carried out in accordance with law. The President emphasized that the sinking of two foreign vessels by Indonesian authorities two weeks ago was just the first warning and the second one will follow.

In the meantime, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti stated that the government has set up a task force to investigate into the violation of fishing laws. According to her, the task force will verify information and data related to illegal fishing vessels and calculate losses suffered by the state due to illegal fishing by foreign vessels.

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