The US government is working in partnership with the Indonesian Transportation Ministry to support port security with total donations for training and equipment worth US$1.02 million throughout this year.
Deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Jakarta, Ted Osius, and the ministry’s sea transportation director general Leon Muhamad, marked the handover of 74 personal radiation detectors and four radioisotope identification devices on Friday that will aid in detection and deterrence of illicit radiological and nuclear materials.
“This assistance will support Indonesian efforts to manage the significant issues of transnational crime, including smuggling activities, trafficking in people, counter narcotics and potential terrorist transit," Osius said.
He noted the importance of security operations as another component in the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership inaugurated by Presidents Barack Obama and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
In addition, Leon said that the cooperation will help Indonesia to improve port security within the framework of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code compliance.
“We hope that the equipment and training on port security will continue to a greater form with emphasis on ports of entry throughout the country and capacity building for the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard [KPLP] officers,” he said.
He said that such equipment will help KPLP officers stationed at 35 ports stretching from Belawan in North Sumatra to Sorong in West Papua.
International shipping played a vital role in the economic development of all countries, as most export and import activities were carried out through maritime transport. Any disruption to international shipping and all related facilities, such as ports, could have direct negative impacts on trade and the economy.
Hence, safety and security of international shipping and ports were paramount and were the shared interest of all nations, Leon said.
“The Indonesian government is strongly committed to further improving the security of all ports – particularly ports engaged in international trade,” he added.
Indonesia has introduced several measures and initiatives, among others; the enactment of Shipping Law No. 17/2008 which aims to regulate shipping and all its related activities and the establishment of the Indonesian Coast Guard, which is now well underway. (nfo)