Indonesia has lobbied countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to carry out maritime patrols in the East Sea to strengthen security.

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu 

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu made the statement at a joint press conference in Sydney on March 16 after talks with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne ahead the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

Minister Ryacudu said he has gone around to ASEAN defence ministers so that each country that faces the East Sea patrols around 230 kilometres.

Indonesia is focusing on the Sulu Sea and the Malacca Strait as well as cooperating with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines in the field, he added.

ASEAN countries have secured almost half of the East Sea that they are patrolling, according to the minister.

The same day, Indonesia and Australia signed a navigation cooperation agreement, including economic and security development, prevention of illegal fishing, and sustainable management of natural resources.-VNA