Indonesia's Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on Wednesday not only rejected China's calls to release eight Chinese fishermen arrested during a recent scuffle at sea, but also vowed to prosecute them.         

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Pandjaitan told reporters that Indonesia would be increasing its military presence in Natuna Islands. He said the country would soon deploy more troops, advanced patrol boats and increase presence in its naval base that will be equipped with modern defence system.            

In other development, the official in charge of Indonesia's Maritime Security Arif Havas Oegroseno challenged China's claim that the Chinese trawler was operating inside its traditional territory. He said China's claim does not hold true under 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.      

"It's very fake, ambiguous, in terms of since when, since what year does it become historical, traditional," Oegroseno said to reporters.     

Oegroseno added that China's latest action in Natuna Islands had created "a new ball game" that East Asian Countries need to closely look into.

Tensions between China and Indonesia flared up on Saturday after Indonesia intercepted a Chinese fishing vessel near the Natuna Islands, leading to the arrest of eight Chinese crew members. Indonesia alleged that Chinese trawler had entered inside its part of Natuna Islands.

Indonesia further accused the Chinese Coast Guards of attacking its maritime officials in bid to rescue the crew members.

In response, China has refuted all the allegations leveled by Jakarta. Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the trawler was operating within it's territory and its coast guard responded only after being attacked by Indonesian authorities.          

At the heart of this latest controversy is Natuna islands, a part of South China Sea that is being claimed by both Indonesia and China. The other parts of energy rich South China Sea is also being claims by neighboring countries including Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

TagsSouth China Sea, China and Indonesia, Natuna Islands