JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government underlined the importance of strengthening national synergy to safeguard maritime security in border areas. Acting Regional Secretary of Papua, Suzana Wanggai, stated that cross-sector coordination forums serve as key platforms to address various maritime challenges in Papua’s waters.

“Papua’s marine resources hold vast potential but are also vulnerable to exploitation by irresponsible parties. A single agency cannot conduct surveillance; it requires cross-sector and cross-authority collaboration,” Suzana said during the Coordination Meeting on Maritime Security Priority Programs in Jayapura, Wednesday (Sept 24, 2025).

According to her, maritime security threats are ongoing and particularly prevalent in border regions. Illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and smuggling of illegal goods are among the issues that must be tackled collectively.

“The Papua Provincial Government will continue to encourage such coordination on an ongoing basis to safeguard territorial sovereignty while protecting the welfare of coastal communities,” she added.

The forum was organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and attended by representatives from the Indonesian Navy, Customs, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the National Narcotics Agency, the police, and other technical agencies.

Deputy Assistant for Coordination of Defense Doctrine and Strategy at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wahyu Handoyo, emphasized that synergy is the key to ensuring maritime patrols are effective.

“Maritime patrols are already routinely carried out by various agencies, but collaborative efforts need to be continuously strengthened to improve prevention. Maritime security is not only about defense but also closely linked to the economic interests of the Papuan people,” Wahyu explained.

He further noted that cooperation with Papua New Guinea could be a strategic step, either through bilateral agreements or memorandums of understanding, to regulate the utilization of marine resources and curb cross-border illegal activities.

The Papua Provincial Government reiterated its commitment to promoting such coordination sustainably to safeguard Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty and ensure the welfare of coastal communities. ***