• Burmese
Friday, December 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
4 °c
Ashburn
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Asia

China Worries May Boost Indonesia Defense Spending to $20Bln Annually

by David Brunnstrom
December 10, 2014
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
China Worries May Boost Indonesia Defense Spending to $20Bln Annually

Indonesian military and police forces gather in a park before deployment ahead of the presidential election in central Jakarta on July 8

3.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

WASHINGTON — Indonesia’s defense spending could grow to US$20 billion a year by 2019 to protect its sovereignty, including an area of the South China Sea near China’s claims, an adviser to new Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday.

Luhut Panjaitan, a former commander of Indonesia’s special forces, said Jakarta had no plans to use force to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea and would continue to promote dialogue between Beijing and its regional rivals.

RelatedPosts

No Let Up in Myanmar Junta Losses as Resistance Attacks Continue

No Let Up in Myanmar Junta Losses as Resistance Attacks Continue

December 1, 2023
332
Trafficking Victims in Myanmar Forced to Sell Organs: Charity

Trafficking Victims in Myanmar Forced to Sell Organs: Charity

December 1, 2023
210
Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

November 30, 2023
1.8k

But he said it was important to strengthen the Indonesian military to protect national interests, including Natuna—a scattering of 157 mostly uninhabited islands off the northwest coast of Borneo that are rich in oil, gas and fish.

Officially, China and Indonesia agree the islands are part of Indonesia’s Riau Province. But in April, Indonesia’s armed forces chief accused China of including parts of Natuna within its so-called “Nine-Dash Line,” a vague boundary used on Chinese maps to lay claim to about 90 percent of the South China Sea, including territory claimed by other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

“Regarding Natuna, we understand very much that this is the territory of Indonesia,” Luhut told Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

Indonesia’s joint gas exploration in Natuna with US oil firm Chevron should be “a signal to China that you cannot play a game here because it’s also the presence of the US,” he said.

Lahut said Indonesia had a role to play in maintaining the balance of power in Asia and planned to increase its defense spending to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product over the next five years.

“We link to economic growth of about 7 percent … so by 2019, the national defense budget can go to around $20 billion per annum,” he said.

“If you look at now the Chinese armed forces—much stronger—and you look at India and Indonesia … Indonesia can play a role to balance the power in this region.”

Lahut said the government wanted to strengthen Indonesia’s navy to enable more sea patrols and to increase its three squadrons of C-130 transport aircraft to five. He also said drones would be an important part of Widodo’s border-protection strategy.

Indonesia’s special forces, meanwhile, would concentrate on the fight against Islamic State, a radical Muslim organization in the Middle East that about 300 Indonesian nationals have joined.

Your Thoughts …
Previous Post

Lessons from Cambodia?

Next Post

Nobel Peace Winners Stress Education for All

David Brunnstrom

David Brunnstrom

Reuters

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

November 28, 2023
74.5k
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

November 29, 2023
63.9k
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

November 27, 2023
29.2k
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

November 25, 2023
26.6k
General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

September 14, 2023
23.3k
Three Rebel Army Chiefs Predict Rapid Fall of Myanmar Junta

Three Rebel Army Chiefs Predict Rapid Fall of Myanmar Junta

August 18, 2023
21.4k
Load More
Next Post
Nobel Peace Winners Stress Education for All

Nobel Peace Winners Stress Education for All

India

India, Russia to Set Out Energy Vision, Siberian Deals Eyed

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

3 days ago
5k
Operation 1111 ‘Close to Securing All of Kayah State for Myanmar Resistance’

Operation 1111 ‘Close to Securing All of Kayah State for Myanmar Resistance’

3 days ago
2.7k

Most Read

  • Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Plays Up ‘Strong’ China Ties a Week After Anti-Beijing Protests

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Says ‘Foreign Experts’ Helping in Offensive Against Military

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.