TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the United States (US) inaugurated the Anambas Maritime Training Center building in Batam City, Riau Islands, on Monday.

Head of Bakamla, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, stated that the training center was the result of cooperation between his side and the US to support security and safety of maritime areas in Indonesia.

“Therefore, we are committed to always maintaining the safety of Indonesia’s seas from all forms of law violations and providing a sense of security to sea users,” he remarked.

“We will make Indonesia a leader to respond to maritime challenges in the future,” he emphasized.

In addition, Kleine affirmed that the two parties had established maritime cooperation, including programs to protect coastal and fishing communities, science and technology cooperation in the maritime sector, and port development.

“America and Indonesia are also working together to combat and prevent smuggling activities, such as illegal fishing, that are not reported and not regulated in Indonesia,”