By Agustinus Beo Da Costa
JAKARTA (Reuters) – The governor of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi said on Tuesday an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) found in the waters off his province that has sparked concern about a potential security breach or espionage attempt appeared to be made in China.
The vehicle, described as a “seaglider” by the Indonesian navy, was found late last month by fishermen off Sulawesi island and brought to Jakarta this week.
Governor Nurdin Abdullah told Reuters “based on findings, it seems like it was made in China.”
“Whether it was put there or who put it there is unknown to us,” he said by telephone.
The Chinese embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Indonesian archipelago straddles strategically important sea lanes used for trade, with its waters also home to rich fishing grounds and important energy reserves.
Indonesian security officials have previously voiced suspicion about Chinese maritime activities, amid increased militarization by Beijing in waters around Southeast Asia that have raised regional tensions.
Yudo Margono, the chief of staff to the navy, told a news briefing on Monday that an investigation had been launched and the vehicle was able to collect hydro-oceanography data and could be used for military purposes.
He also said it was unclear where it had originated and that no country had claimed the vehicle.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which Indonesia is party, says that marine scientific research in a country’s exclusive economic zone or on the continental shelf should only be conducted with the consent of the coastal state.
Sukamta, an Indonesian lawmaker on a commission overseeing defence, urged authorities not to take too long to reveal the identity and origins of the “drone” so that further action could be taken.
(Additional reporting by Yuddy Cahya Budiman and Tabita Diela; Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Ed Davies)
