Jakarta, March 3 -- The House of Representatives (DPR) has emphasized the importance of officially designating the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) as Indonesia's coast guard.

DPR Deputy Chairman of Commission I, Ahmad Heryawan, conveyed this during a hearing with Bakamla head, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, to discuss the Maritime Security Bill in Jakarta on Monday.

Heryawan stated that the bill's discussion is crucial, as Indonesia is an archipelagic nation with vast maritime territory.

"This large nation, with oceans covering most of its territory, urgently needs a law regulating maritime security," he said.

He stressed that Bakamla's role as Indonesia's coast guard must be legitimized in the bill.

"We lack legislation that explicitly ...