Japan to provide assistance for RI`s Maritime Security Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Japan is to donate three patrol boats and US$300 million to Indonesia`s Maritime Security Coordination Agency (Bakorkamla) in support of efforts to maintain security in Indonesia`s maritime territory, the agency`s chief said.

"In addition to the three patrol boats, Japan is also to provide a US$300 million grant for the development and improvement of Bakorkamla," the agency`s chief, Vice Admiral Djoko Sumaryono said on Wednesday after the signing of a maritime security cooperation agreement between Bakorkamla and the North Sulawesi provincial administration.

He said many countries, including Japan and Germany, were prepared to help Bakorkamla in capacity building.

"Although Bakorkamla is not yet functioning as a `coast guard`, other countries are keenly interested in the agency`s existence. They know about us and are committed to assisting us," Djoko said.

Asked about the realization of the Japanese assistance, Djoko said it would be handed over to the Indonesian government in December 2007 while the grant of US$300 million had also been reported to the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

Commenting on a report that Japan had cancelled a plan to give 142 patrol boats to Bakorkamla because the agency had yet to operate as a coast guard, Djoko said the report was not true.

"We are going to reconfirm the suspension, but in reality the Japanese government has agreed to give three patrol boats and US$300 million fund to Bakorkamla," Djoko said.

He said that besides Japan, Germany was also ready to help in anti terror training program and the report of maritime danger to Bakorkamla personnel.

"The assistance in anti terror training program will be given by Germany`s antiterror special force SG-9, in addition to providing Bakorkamla with multi-purpose boats," Djoko said.

He added Indonesia was currrently making efforts to have the German assistance plan realized in the near future.