The Effectiveness of Indonesia’s Foreign Policy on the Defense of the Natuna ZEE under UNCLOS 1982
(Efektivitas Kebijakan Luar Negeri Indonesia terhadap Pertahanan ZEE Natuna melalui UNCLOS 1982)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12026/sym.v1i1.121Keywords:
Exclusive Economic Zone, North Natuna Sea, Legal Diplomacy, Rational Actor ModelAbstract
This study aims to analyze the application of the Rational Actor Model (RAM) in Indonesia’s foreign policy in defending its sovereign rights over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Natuna Sea through legal diplomacy based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Employing a qualitative approach, this research utilizes primary data derived from Indonesia’s diplomatic notes submitted to the United Nations (2019–2020), UNCLOS 1982 provisions, and relevant national legal frameworks, complemented by secondary sources from academic journals and policy studies on maritime disputes and foreign policy decision-making. The findings indicate that Indonesia’s reliance on legal diplomacy represents a rational policy choice aimed at maximizing international legal legitimacy, minimizing the risk of conflict escalation, and safeguarding national interests while maintaining regional stability. This strategy reflects Indonesia’s calculated response to unilateral maritime claims without resorting to coercive measures. Overall, Indonesia’s approach demonstrates a rational and adaptive foreign policy consistent with the “Independent and Active” principle in managing maritime sovereignty challenges.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis penerapan Model Aktor Rasional (RAM) dalam kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia dalam mempertahankan hak kedaulatannya atas Zona Ekonomi Eksklusif (ZEE) Laut Natuna Utara melalui diplomasi hukum berdasarkan Konvensi PBB tentang Hukum Laut (UNCLOS) 1982. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, penelitian ini memanfaatkan data primer yang diperoleh dari catatan diplomatik Indonesia yang diajukan ke PBB (2019–2020), ketentuan UNCLOS 1982, dan kerangka hukum nasional yang relevan, dilengkapi dengan sumber sekunder dari jurnal akademik dan studi kebijakan mengenai sengketa maritim dan pengambilan keputusan kebijakan luar negeri. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa ketergantungan Indonesia pada diplomasi hukum merupakan pilihan kebijakan rasional yang bertujuan memaksimalkan legitimasi hukum internasional, meminimalkan risiko eskalasi konflik, dan melindungi kepentingan nasional sambil menjaga stabilitas regional. Strategi ini mencerminkan respons terukur Indonesia terhadap klaim maritim sepihak tanpa menggunakan tindakan paksa. Secara keseluruhan, pendekatan Indonesia menunjukkan kebijakan luar negeri yang rasional dan adaptif sesuai dengan prinsip “Mandiri dan Aktif” dalam mengelola tantangan kedaulatan maritim.
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