A Study of the development of Natuna Regency as a key site on Indonesia’s Outer Border with particular regard to national defense and security issues in the South China Sea

This study profiles defense and security issues and relevant to the development of Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. The area is located close to Indonesia’s maritime borders with Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia and adjacent to a major international shipping route between East Asia and the Indian Ocean. Due to its location, state management of the Regency involves the co-ordination of various components to anticipate threats, including potential military intervention by other countries and other activities such as terrorism, smuggling, illegal drug trading, illegal fishing, etc. The method of study used for this article was exploratory, using interviews, observation, and document study to produce analysis. The result of our findings is that, from a national security point-of-view, military bases in Natuna should be strengthened in acknowledgement of the strategic value of the territory with regard to the defense of Indonesian borders.