INDONESIA - AUSTRALIAN COAST GUARD COOPERATION: AN INTEGRATIVE PARTNERSHIP IN CONTROLLING CROSS-BORDER CRIME

Abstract

The Indonesia-Australia border has become a critical concern for both countries since the rise of cross-border crime has threatened the stability of national security. IUU Fishing as a dominant crime is associated with other crimes such as migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and modern classification. The impact is global since the victims come from various countries. Therefore, the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA) cooperates with the Australian Border Force in controlling it. The study aims to analyze the cooperation between the Indonesian-Australian Coast Guard and integrated interagency in handling cross-border maritime crimes. This research used qualitative methods. Data obtained from 9 ministries/agencies and embassies of 2 countries supported by related scientific articles. The study result indicates that in controlling cross-border crimes, the Coast Guards of both countries' cooperation focus on coordinated patrol, human resource capacity building and information sharing. Maritime Domain Awareness-based threat control started from gathering intelligence data to investigations. It requires cross-agency collaboration. This integration involves the coast guard, police, navy, immigration, fisheries agency, sea transportation, ministry of foreign affairs and other technical/supporting agencies. Bounded by the security aspect, victims' and perpetrators' rights are under the country's protection. As a catalyst for followed partnerships, this bilateral cooperation creates a spillover effect for coast guards in the Southeast Asian region. The ASEAN Coast Guard Forum initiation is expected to strengthen the balance of power efforts in the South China Sea disputes.