UPH Faculty of Law Held a Public Lecture “National Defense in Indonesia as An Archipelago at the State Border Region”

In commemoration of Heroes Day, UPH Faculty of Law held a Public Lecture “National Defense in Indonesia as An Archipelago at the State Border Region” on November 10, 2014. The public lecture presented three important experts in the field of maritime law and Indonesian territorial?s national defense Prof. Dr Hasyim Djalal, Maheswara LEMHANAS and Indonesian Marine Board, First Admiral TNI I.G. Putu Wijamahadi, S.H., representing the Navy and Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of International Law at Universitas Indonesia.

The public lecture was attended by UPH students and students from other universities around Jabodetabek

At 09.30, around 200 participants filled Building D, Room 501 to listen to the public lecture from the three speakers. The participants were not only from the students and lecturers of UPH, but also students from other universities around Jabodetabek, such as UMN, Universitas Bina Nusantara, Universitas Pancasila Nasional, Prasetya Mulia, Universitas Atmajaya Jakarta, Universitas Pertahanan Nasional and Universitas 17 Agustus.

The public lecture, which was moderated by Dr. Eduard I. Hauly, SH., LLM, began with remarks by Sekar Joanda, Head of the event. In her speech, she stated that the border region is a front yard, fence and major guard of a country. However, facts are showing that this place is the main place where the state is threatened. Through this public lecture, she reminded that the Indonesian people should not underestimate the nation’s defense, because a nation?s defense is the foundation of 10 national and state aspects of life.

Chairman of the Senate of the Faculty of Law, in his speech, stated that the purpose of this seminar is to open a national awareness through an understanding of the territory of Indonesia. “Island of the outermost region of the border must have the ability to prevent the disorder from the outside and TNI must be the strongest military in the region and even in the world, in order to make Indonesia a strong and advanced maritime state. Hopefully, through this public lecture, the spirit of Sriwijaya and Majapahit in the Indonesian seas could rise, as well as the slogan of ?my ancestor is a sailor? can be animated by the Indonesian nation and our country can be respected by the whole world community.”

Jonathan L. Parapak, UPH Rector, giving his remarks in the public lecture

Jonathan L. Parapak, Rector of UPH, also delivered a short speech stating his pride for the UPH Faculty of Law who successfully organized the lecture. “With the spirit of heroism, students of UPH Law established an exceptional event. I’m surprised that they managed to invite prominent figures in Indonesia. I am happy that UPH Faculty of Law students and students from all over Indonesia who are present here thought about aspects of the country’s national defenses. When Bung Tomo used to scream about fighting with weapons, now as an act of heroism in the modern world, we should be representatives of the defense of this nation,” said Jonathan.

In this public lecture, Prof. Dr. Hasyim Djalal stressed the three main issues that were going to be discussed; they were about defenses, an archipelago, and the border regions. There are three defenses that are inviolable in the territorial unity of Indonesia, they are the one nation, the one country and the one regional (archipelago).

The three speakers giving their public lectures regarding the National Defense in Indonesia as An Archipelago at the State Border Region

Token of appreciation given to the speakers by the Dean of Faculty of Law UPH, Prof. Dr. Bintan R. Saragih, SH

The Indonesian archipelago as a whole unity has five elements of unity that should not be breakable: land, sea, air, seabed and the natural resources therein. Indonesia as an Archipelago will also need to develop itself in order to be a sovereign state over the sea.

He also described the boundaries of the sea and seabed in Indonesia that needs to be known by the community and the issues that are going on. The boundaries consists of inland waters, archipelagic waters, sea region, additional zones, ZEE, and continental shelf.

“Indonesian Sea, which is now 60 times greater than it was at the proclamation must be protected and maintained. It could all be obtained through sacrifice and struggle, but still needs to be supported by the ability to utilize it. If we are not able to utilize it well, then Indonesia will continue to only be an archipelago instead of a maritime nation. I hope UPH can help realize Indonesia as a Maritime Nation, maintaining NKRI which holds the three characteristics of unity and maintains the unity of the five elements,” explained Prof. Hasyim.

Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of International Law, Universitas Indonesia, stressed the importance of Indonesian marine diplomacy as an Archipelago in the World Maritime Geopolitics. He saw that Indonesia is still shackled by the conflicting legislations and the lack of law enforcement related to national defense problems. There are still many people who have minimal knowledge related to the maritime rules. To that end, he hopes that the students can be a future hero in enforcing maritime law to enable Indonesia to become a sovereign maritime country and respected by the international community.

All the more, TNI Vice Admiral Didit Hediawan, as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, described in details the Indonesian maritime border region with the neighboring countries which is still experiencing problems potentional of threatening the sovereignty and the nation?s security. Plus, there are many people who exploit the border region which is still experiencing disputes and problems of illegal border crossers. To that end, through his presentation, he also described the efforts that have been made by the Navy as law enforcement officers and sovereignty at sea, also the promise to continue developing to be more powerful and modern in facing the challenges and disruptions in the future. (ca/cla)

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