With a sea area of 93,000 square kilometers interwoven throughout the 17,000 islands, good strength of the navy should be a top priority for Indonesia. The strategic location sandwiched between two continents and two oceans means that the waters of Indonesia accommodate traffic many international submarine on a given day. In addition, Indonesia's waters are rich in biodiversity reserves, oil and gas, and spectacular diving -. It is hard to imagine how other countries might not want a piece of the pie
Therefore, Submarine Monument Surabaya became one of the must-visit spots in the City of Heroes. "Monkasel", as the locals affectionately call it, is actually the submarine KRI Pasopati retired, turned into an appointment in the museum.
I met Sugeng, who served aboard the submarine 1978-1989 as navy personnel and since 1998 as a tourist guide. Sugeng has many memories on this 1,300 tons Whiskey-class Soviet submarine. As a young sailor, Sugeng used to go on three-month assignments at a time. There is a gleam in his eye as he showed visitors around.
But even so, the fact Pasopati 1959 Vladivostok was an advanced technology at the time. Its features include propellers torpedoes over a human adult, sophisticated controls and monitors that almost look like a scene from a movie steampunk, powerful diesel engine rooms, crafty spy equipment, super-efficient bunk beds, and a chemical carbon dioxide solvent for recycling oxygen.
favorite memory Sugeng includes 1979 Operasi Halilintar, who sent the KRI Pasopati the South China Sea to prevent the smuggling of Indonesian resources in Malaysia and Singapore, and has helped resettle Vietnamese refugees Pulau Galang camp of refugees in the Riau islands.
The KRI Pasopati was then headed by the Captain and Commodore Soentoro Mardiono. Soentoro is famous for intimidating the military forces of neighboring countries of Indonesia, including in the collaborative security operations in 1974 Indonesian Malaysian in the Strait of Malacca. When Soentoro has the potential role of Pasopati in the operation, Malaysian Marine colonel Sidiq ridiculed the idea, perhaps to hide his fear of Indonesian submarines penetrating Malaysian territory.
Soentoro noted the comments Sidiq but Mardiono calmed down for the sake of good relations between neighboring countries. Nevertheless, Soentoro was determined to teach Malaysia a lesson. He then fear of the Malaysian navy having the submarine travel under the radar and show unexpectedly before the convoys of Malaysia in Penang and Sabang.
"Back in the reign of Sukarno, Indonesia had twelve submarines like this. Our navy was a powerful force at sea, and other ASEAN countries fear us," Sugeng said. The submarines, known Hiu Kencana ( "Golden Sharks") were named after mythical Javanese armory: Nagabanda, Trisula, Nagarangsang, Candrasa, Wijayadanu, Hendrajala, Bramasta, Cundamani and Alugoro. Pasopati is shooting the magical bow of Mahabharatan hero Arjuna.
"Now, Indonesia has two submarines. What a pity," said Sugeng. "On the retired submarines, not Pasopati is recoverable. The rest have become old junk."
The remaining submarines from West Germany in 1981 and has Cakra Nanggala which Sugeng Kiel recovered while undergoing military training for six months, followed by a 58 day homebound diving trip. Although Cakra Nanggala and are technologically ahead of Pasopati they have been in service for 32 years.
Asked if two submarines are enough to patrol vast seas of Indonesia, Sugeng sorrily chuckled and said, "Well, the men until he calls the shots. I'm just a sailor, and retired for that matter. "
Military analyst Connie Bakrie said that building a good Marine is an expression of the love of a nation for his country. The navy has everything to do with the sovereignty and security a country
"We all know the song :. Bukan Lautan, hanya kolam susu. "Connie said, citing the 1973 rock song lyrics Kolam Susu Koes Plus (" milk pool ") which refers poetically to Indonesia as a maritime utopia blessed with abundant resources and a sea calm
"But this song underestimate the importance of the defense of the Indonesian navy," she said, adding that Indonesia is blessed with three things nations go to war for.: . religion, resources and trade
Connie said she was angry to hear President Yudhoyono said that Indonesia was "a million friends and zero enemies" in his speech inauguration in October 09. "hundreds of foreign submarines were sunk in our waters. And water Tanimbar islands become the road of international submarine traveling between Indonesia and Australia. The route between Darwin and Tanimbar takes about eight hours. The waters have permanent natural gas reserves claimed by China and Japan, and the US Marines are deployed there, "said Connie." How could we say that Indonesia has no enemies? "
Connie said the government seems to have no problem splurging on politics, but fails to adequately equip a professional navy that effectively defends the country, the ruling "too. "Cheap Indonesian military have only two bullets in military training border. Indonesian Navy has no patrol boats in nearby waters, while the Chinese and African trawlers, backed by private military companies, make lucrative profits on fish stolen in Indonesian waters.
And Indonesia has only two obsolete submarines.
whether the future of the Indonesian navy will re-attain its past grandeur, with an adequate number of high-tech submarines and earn the respect of the countries want rich seas of Indonesia, it remains a question mark. Some say the chances are bleak, which is understandable.
But in the moment, the submarine Monument stands firmly by the romantic banks of Kalimas river Surabaya, offering visitors a walk through the past glorious of Indonesia and former Navy sailors who would gladly tell their adventures in good ole 'days patrolling the background of Indonesian seas. Whether you are a patriot concerned with the future of the thalassic sovereignty of Indonesia, or a tourist looking to have fun with pictures and sounds of vintage military technology, a visit to Monkasel would make an unforgettable experience.
Monumen Kapal Selam Surabaya
Jalan Pemuda No. 39 (next to the Plaza Surabaya)
Genteng
Surabaya Timur
Tel 031 549 0401
Open every day 08: 30 to 21 hours
Rp5,000 Tickets
0 Komentar