U.S. grants 15 patrol boats to National Police

The Jakarta Post

BATAM (Antara): The United States Ambassador to Jakarta, Caron Hume, handed over 15 patrol boats to National Police chief Gen. Sutanto in Batam, Riau Islands on Thursday.

The small patrol boats will be used to secure Indonesian waters prone to piracy, smuggling activities of drugs and firearms and other maritime crimes.

Batam and Bitung in North Sulawesi will each get four of the boats while Tarakan in East Kalimantan will receive five and another two will be stationed in Bangka Belitung Islands.

"The grant shows the U.S.'s concern for securing Indonesian waters because sea security is not only for Indonesia but also for our neighboring countries.

"Ships from other countries also pass through our waters so they have an interest in securing our waters."

The boats will be operated by the respective provincial police although they are owned by the National Police Water Police Directorate.

Meanwhile, Hume said the U.S. was committed to help the Indonesian Water Police secure Indonesian waters.

"The grant is a reflection of cooperation and trust which have been fostered all this time," he said.