President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has insisted that Indonesia has sovereign rights over natural resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea while allowing foreign vessels to pass peacefully. “I am here to ensure the enforcement of our sovereign rights over maritime natural resources in our EEZ,” Jokowi said as quoted in a press release issued by the State Palace on Wednesday. “Why do we have the Navy and the Bakamla [Maritime Security Agency] here? They are here to enforce the law.” Speaking at the Lampa Strait Fishing Port in Natuna regency, Riau Islands province, Jokowi was commenting on the presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the North Natuna Sea – on the southern fringe of the South China Sea and whose name has yet to be internationally recognized. The Chinese fishing vessels were escorted by China Coast...