Trilateral partnership strengthening maritime law enforcement in Southeast Asia
Gusty Da Costa
Maritime law enforcement cooperation among Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, known as INDOMALPHI, has significantly mitigated security threats such as armed robbery, kidnapping, transnational crime and terrorism in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas, officials say.
The 24th INDOMALPHI Joint Working Group Meeting on the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA), held in mid-May 2024 in Bandung, Indonesia, highlighted the successes and challenges of the regional initiative, which was established in 2017 under the TCA. Its coordinated air and maritime patrols are considered particularly effective.
“Joint patrols conducted by Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have successfully countered a range of threats, with no incidents reported, in stark contrast to the 99 reports of piracy and armed robbery in 2017,” Dave Laksono, an Indonesian lawmaker overseeing defense issues, told FORUM.
Maritime coordination centers are vital in enabling rapid information exchange and response to security incidents.
“The positive results of the collaboration in the area of maritime interest in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas have increased the safety of commercial shipping, goods and people,” Brig. Gen. Steverly C. Parengkuan, director of defense international cooperation at the Indonesian Defense Ministry, said at the INDOMALPHI meeting.
He emphasized the need for vigilance, however, as the region faces security threats such as violent extremism and online radicalization. “Terrorism will continue to pose challenges because it is able to grow, adapt and spread despite global developments,” Parengkuan said.
Laksono said funding also must be addressed. “Procuring vessels, equipment and personnel requires significant investment,” he said.
INDOMALPHI patrols and intelligence sharing have bolstered maritime law enforcement capabilities, closing potential gaps that criminals could exploit and expanding military presence, according to Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa, an Indonesian maritime expert and civilian ship captain.
“Joint naval and security force exercises are regularly held to enhance operational capacity and coordination,” he told FORUM.
Maritime centers in each INDOMALPHI member state facilitate the exchange of intelligence on vessel movements, suspicious activities and potential threats, enabling “rapid detection and response,” he said.
Strengthening communication among command centers in Tarakan, Indonesia; Tawi-Tawi, Philippines; and Tawau, Malaysia, also is considered a priority, along with increasing trilateral maritime exercises to showcase joint force strength and deter potential threats.
Intelligence-driven surveillance operations are crucial for targeting transnational criminal networks, Laksono said. Therefore, enhancing the TCA structure, communication and coordination is necessary for regional stability and security.
“This trilateral cooperation has shown significant success in reducing security threats and enhancing regional stability,” Jayawibawa said. “Going forward, improved coordination, sustained resource support and adaptation to evolving threats are required.”
Gusty Da Costa is a FORUM contributor based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
