10.47313 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY OF THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE SOUTH CHINA SEAS CONFLICT: A STUDY ON SECURITY THREATS IN THE NORTH NATUNA SEAS

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY OF THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE SOUTH CHINA SEAS CONFLICT: A STUDY ON SECURITY THREATS IN THE NORTH NATUNA SEAS

Abstract

The South China Sea (SCS) issue remains a global center of attention due to complex
and disputed overlapping claims. The waters are located near Indonesia's boundary, the North
Natuna Sea. Despite Indonesia not being a claimant state in the SCS dispute, parts of Indonesia's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea waters are included in China's nine
dash line map, which is currently being updated to ten-dash line, potentially causing threats to
regional security and increased illegal activities in the area. On the other hand, regardless of the
finalization of the IndonesiaVietnam EEZ in December 2022, illegal poaching by Vietnamese
fishing vessels is still rife in the North Natuna Sea region. This phenomenon confronts the
Government of Indonesia with three main challenges: China's claim to the SCS and its
consequences in the North Natuna Sea, existing conditions in the claimed area and their impact
on the fisheries sector and marine resources in the North Natuna Sea, and government strategies
as well as policies including monitoring measures, cross-institutional cooperation, and
improvements to the defense system. In this research, the author uses a qualitative approach
with descriptive research type and analysis based on Security Threat theory (Buzan, 1983). By
approaching, analyzing and understanding the conflict in the SCS and its impact on the North
Natuna Sea, this research provides insights for the government's management of public sector
strategies and the formulation of public policies to address security challenges in Indonesia,
particularly on the borders of the North Natuna Sea.