REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government held a meeting with Indonesian National Ship Owners' Association (INSA) and those in the coal business to discuss the security aspect of export of the commodity to the Philippines.
"We need feedback from the field regarding the security of the coal exports and exports of other commodities," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
The minister informed that the Indonesian government has gathered input and advice from business makers regarding the security of the South Philippines and Malaysian sailing route.
The government will continue the coordination efforts tomorrow to finalize the commodity export security plans, Minister Retno added.
"We do not want the export activities to involve any risk to anyone. We need to ensure everyone's health and safety," she noted.
The Foreign Ministry is also coordinating with the Transportation Ministry in this regard.
Aside from collaborating with a number of parties, the ministry is also studying the set of rules enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about securing commercial shipping.
Retno mentioned that the Indonesian government will coordinate with the Philippines and Malaysian government to secure commercial shipping in accordance with the IMO's regulations.
"Meanwhile, another thing that we can do is to establish a corridor in the sea," she reiterated.
The establishment of a safe corridor in the sea will make surveillance easy, she explained.
The security plans include sailing in convoys or having military patrols escorting the ships within the corridor.
Seven Indonesian boat crew members were recently abducted in the Lahad Datu sea in Sabah, Malaysia. It is suspected that the abductors were members of separatist Abu Sayyaf group.
Three of the seven abducted boat crew members who worked for a Malaysian national were being held captive by five armed people.
The boat employer, Chia Tong Len, had reported the incident to the Malaysian police force.
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