(Photo via Merdeka.com)
Brilio.net/en - In a recent episode of TVOne'sIndonesia Lawyer Club (ILC), a program on the news channelhosted by Karni Ilyas, Indonesia National Armed Forces CommanderGatot Nurmantyostartled viewers with his speech about the so-called Peak Oil Theory and its impact on Indonesias and the worlds geopolitics. The depletion of oil production, Gatot said, have brought multiple effects, such as changing lifestyles and business models, economic depression and crises, and the increasing crimes and conflicts all around the globe.
On one hand, the availability of fossil-based fuels, especially oil, is gradually depleting. On the other hand, the consumption of energy continues to rise rapidly due to the growth of world population. This triggers pepleto seek for alternatives and the best one is, by far, the vegetal-based energy or bioenergy. This, hesaid, will turn the worlds eyes to equatorial countries in Southeast Asia, Central Africa, and Latin America.
In Southeast Asia, the biggest resource is in the Indonesian archipelago. Indonesia has everything and at one point, Indonesias natural resources will be a bone of contention. "Indonesias natural richness someday will make other countries in the world envious, Gatot said,citing Indonesias first president, Soekarno.
In order to take control of its natural resources, he pointed that "invisiblehands" are trying to target and weaken Indonesiaand he went on to point out a number of potential threats.
Modern-day Opium War:
According to data from the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (BNN), in late 2015, drug users in Indonesia increased to 5,9 million of thecountry's population of 249,9 million people.
And its an iceberg phenomenon. The number is potentially greater. Were so fed up with BNN and police reports about the findings of some kilos of methamphetamine (sabu) every single day. And the transaction was done in Malaysia, Gatot revealed.
On the United States military base in Darwin, Australia:
Gatot mentioned that there are at least 1,250 to 2,500 US Marines stationed in Darwin.
Darwin is only 479 kilometers away from Serwaru. We have Marsela Island and Block Masela there, as TNI Commander-in-chief, shouldnt I be worried? he said.
On the South China Sea border issue:
Gatot also mentioned that most of the foreign vessels that are secured by the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), especially in the last three cases, were escorted by Chinese coast guards.
They claimed that the beach belongs to them, whereas [the beaches are] located in the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] of Indonesia, he said.
He added that while the Philippines' claim over the South China Sea may have been backed by an international court, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights on thesewaters will not be affected by any decision in any way.
These are the potentials of conflict right around us, said Gatot.
On the maneuver of Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA):
On October 14-21, FPDA, a defense organization that ties Biritsh Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore, held a huge military drill involving 3,000 personnel, 71 fighters, 11 battleships, and submarines. The agreement was established in 1971, and part of the agreement is that the five countries will help each other should there any threat from outsiders against the five countries.
On terrorists threats:
Gatot cited Bahrun Naim, an actor behind Sarinah terror attack earlier this year: When Syria is no longer safe, return to places you came from and do what you have to do, with everything you have.
Soon after, a bus crashed in France, and a pastor got stabbed.
According to Gatot, the problem is that Indonesias anti-terrorism law is weak in preventing terrorist attacks. He highlighted that terrorist attacks also have a strong relation to the race for energy resources, referring to cases in Iraq, Libya and Syria.
Gatot highlighted Indonesias rapid economic growth, indicated with Indonesias gross domestic product (GDP) which managed to claim the 7th rank in the world, makes the country a huge economic power with all the potentials to be ousted.
Gatot added that he has tried to convey this information and his concerns regarding the sovereignty and future of Indonesian people in many forums and discussion but have received a weak response.
(brl/red)
