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Indonesia Needs Strong Navy: President
Indonesian needed to develop a strong navy to guard the country's territorial waters, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said.
"A strong naval force reflects a nation's dignity, thus (by having one), we can gain the respect of other countries in the world," Megawati said while addressing the 50th anniversary of the Navy Academy in Surabaya, capital of East Java province, on Monday.
The president said Indonesia also needed a strong commercial fleet so that the country would not be left behind in international trade.
She underscored the alarming security lapses amid increasing illegal activities in Indonesian waters.
Illegal fishing and piracy have increased and have yet to be kept in check by the Navy, the president was quoted by the Jakarta Post.com online news service as saying.
In addition, many fishermen as well as fishing companies continue to ignore the preservation of marine resources.
"We have to see all these problems as challenges in developing a better future for Indonesia," she said.
Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil, Indonesian Military Commander Adm. Widodo A.S., Indonesian Navy chief Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono and other high-ranking military officers were present at the ceremony.
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