The US$3.5 million dollar-training center, to be built at Batam in the Riau Islands, is a collaborative effort between Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Embassy International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) office, Joint Interagency Task Force West, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command), and the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Y. Kim and Bakamla’s Rear Admiral TNI Tatit Eko Witjaksono presided over a groundbreaking ceremony in Batam on June 25.
“As friends and partners of Indonesia, the United States remains committed to supporting Indonesia’s leading role in advancing regional peace and security by countering domestic and transnational crime,” said Ambassador Kim.
The Ambassador also noted this initiative is part of an ongoing U.S. effort in partnering with Indonesia on combatting transnational crime that has included providing equipment, support, training and technical assistance to Bakamla since their inauguration in 2014.
Rear Admiral TNI Tatit stated that the training center will be owned and operated by Bakamla. “This training center will be an important foundation for Bakamla to improve our personnel capabilities in responding to the challenges of ensuring security and safety at sea. The Center will include classrooms, office space, barracks, a dining galley, and a vessel launch ramp. It will accommodate up to 50 students and 12 instructors.”
Image credit: U.S. Embassy Jakarta
