U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Y. Kim and Head of Republic of Indonesia’s Maritime Agency (Bakamla), Vice Admiral TNI Aan Kurnia, S.Sos., M.M., represented by Rear Admiral TNI Tatit Eko Witjaksono, S.E., M. Tr. (Han), presided over a groundbreaking ceremony of Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) Maritime Training Center in Batam today (06/25/2021).
“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.
The $3.5 million dollar training center is a collaborative effort between 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.
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.”
