Natuna Regency Kabupaten Natuna
Regency
Other transcription(s)
• Jawi	كڤولاوان ناتونا‎
From top, left to right: Natuna Sea, Mount Ranai, Ranai Airport, Endangered bird, Serasan Island harbour, Sekatung Island
Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Malay:Laut Sakti Rantau Bertuah (Sacred Ocean, Fortune Land)
Interactive map
Natuna Regency Location of Natuna Regency Show map of Riau Islands Natuna Regency Natuna Regency (Sumatra) Show map of Sumatra Natuna Regency Natuna Regency (Indonesia) Show map of Indonesia Natuna Regency Natuna Regency (South China Sea) Show map of South China Sea
Coordinates:4°0′0″N108°15′0″E / 4.00000°N 108.25000°E /4.00000; 108.25000
Country	Indonesia
Province	Riau Islands
Discovery byI-Tsing	671 A.D.[1]
Condominium ofJohor Sultanate andPattani Kingdom	1597[1]
Afdeeling van Pulau Tudjuh	1913
Regency established	12 October 1999[2]
Incorporation ofTambelan Archipelago intoBintan Regency	18 December 2003[3][4]
Creation ofAnambas Islands Regency	31 July 2008[5]
Regency seat	Ranai
Administrative division	15 districts[6] 77 villages
Government
• Body	Regency's Government of Natuna Islands
• Leader	Wahyu Dwi Sugianto
• Regent(Bupati)	Wan Siswandi Wan Abdulatif[7]
• Vice Regent(Wakil Bupati)	Rodhial Huda(Hanura)
• Council	Regency Council of Natuna
• Member of Provincial Parliament	List of MPPs Hadi Chandra (Golkar) Ilyas Sabli (Nat.Dem.) Taufik (PDI-P)
Area [6]
• Total	28,200.37 km2 (10,888.22 sq mi)
• Land	1,978.49 km2 (763.90 sq mi)
• Water	26,222.06 km2 (10,124.39 sq mi)  99.25%
Population  (mid 2023 estimate[8])
• Total	83,668
• Density	42/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+07:00 (Western Indonesia Time/W.I.B)
Postcodes	29775 to 29778 –Natuna Besar 29779 –Subi Island 2978x – rest of the islands
Area code	(+62) 773
Registration plates	BP 1234 N×[9]
HDI (2020)	0.7275High[10]
Website	natunakab.go.id

Natuna Regency is an islandsregency located in the northernmost part of the Province ofRiau Islands, Indonesia. It contains at least 154 islands, of which 127 of them are reported as uninhabited. This archipelago, with a land area of 1,978.49 km² out of a total area of 264,198.37 km² area,^[6] This area is divided into island clusters such as the Natuna Island Cluster and the Serasan Island Cluster. However, several other islands that are not located in the two clusters are spread over a wider area. This division reflects the geographical and administrative location of the district, but there are also other small islands that are outside these two main clusters and are not always included in the grouping.^[11] Administratively, this area is divided into 17 districts (kecamatan) which function to facilitate management and services for the local community and support the development of the potential of the region which is rich in natural resources and tourism.^[12] This regency also plays an important role in maintaining Indonesia's sovereignty in the northern border area.^[13]

With 69,003 inhabitants at the 2010 Census^[14] and 81,495 at the 2020 Census,^[15] most of the population areMalays with 11% ofJavanese migrants,Chinese,Minang,Batak,Banjar people,Dayak people,Buginese people,Sundanese people, and tiny percentage of migrants who come fromSulawesi,Bali, and other provinces across Indonesia.^[16] The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 83,668.^[8]

Some 80% of its inhabitants are of Malay origin, numerous being descended fromTerengganuan, Johorean, andPattanian descent as results of contact established since 1597. The consequence of this is the usage ofTerengganuan Malay beside theIndonesian language as the official language and theMalay language as alingua franca across the Province of Riau Islands.^[17]

Indonesia'sexclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coast of Natuna is slightly overlapped by China's widely disputedSouth China Sea claim.^[18]

The discovery of the Natuna Islands by I-Tsing (orYijing) has been disputed by some historians, who point to errors in interpreting his historical records. Although I-Tsing, a Buddhist monk from the Tang Dynasty, recorded his extensive travels through Southeast Asia and India, there is no strong evidence in his records that explicitly mentions the Natuna Islands. Many historians argue that I-Tsing only referred to theSouth Sea region in general, specificallySrivijaya (nowSumatra), as a center of Buddhist learning.^[19][20]

Most claims that I-Tsing discovered or mentioned Natuna come from misinterpretations of maps and documents related to the voyages of Chinese sailors such asZheng He who came several centuries later. In his notes, I-Tsing emphasized his journey to India and his life in Srivijaya rather than exploring the sailing routes to specific islands.^[21]

Therefore, some critics suggest that the interpretation linking I-Tsing with the discovery of the Natuna Islands may be a historical misunderstanding. They point out that the shipping routes and records linking Natuna are more related to Persian ships and other sailors who had passed through the region long before I-Tsing.^[22][23]

The most notable history of Natuna Islands followed upon the decision ofAlauddin Riayat Shah III of Johor andGreen Queen ofPattani Kingdom to claim Natuna Islands as part of their condominium.^[5][24][25] However, before the Sultan of Johor and the Pattani Monarch declared Natuna Islands as their condominium in 1597, its previous King,Alauddin Riayat II, created Datuk Kayas'/Dukes' titles as follows:

1. Datok Amar Lela for ruler ofJemaja Island
2. Datok Kaya Dewa Perkasa for ruler of Siantan Island
3. Datuk Kaya Indra Pahlawan for ruler ofSerindit Island,(later known as Great Natuna Island)
4. Datuk Kaya Timbalan Siamah for ruler of Tambelan Islands.^[1]

Natuna Under the Influence of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate

The Natuna Islands, located in the South China Sea, had close ties with theRiau-Lingga Sultanate, especially after the collapse of theJohor Sultanate in the early 17th century.^[26] The Riau-Lingga Sultanate, established in 1718 after the Johor Sultanate collapsed due to Portuguese attacks and internal conflicts, controlled a vast territory, including the islands around the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, including the Natuna Islands.^[27]

The Riau-Lingga Sultanate played an important role in managing the waters and trade routes in the region. The Natuna Islands were one of the areas controlled by the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, which was centered onLingga and later inRiau.^[28] The influence of this kingdom was clearly visible in the political and economic management of the region, including in regulating shipping routes between the Malay Peninsula and the coastal areas of Sumatra and Borneo.^[29] During the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, the official administrative name for the Natuna Islands was Natuna Region orPulau Natuna (in Malay it is calledPulau Natuna orDaerah Natuna ). During the heyday of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, the influence of Malay culture was very pronounced in the Natuna Islands. The Natuna people, who were mostly of Malay ethnicity, had close ties with this kingdom in the social, cultural, and economic fields.^[30] In terms of economy, Natuna became a strategic place for the trade of spices, fish, and other seafood. In addition, the Riau-Lingga Sultanate also protected its territories from external threats, such as colonization by European powers, especially the Netherlands.^[31]

After the end of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate and the Dutch colonial influence in the region, the Natuna Islands remained an important part of Indonesia's maritime history. To this day, the historical and cultural heritage of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate is still very much felt in Natuna.^[32][33]

Throughout most of its history since the reigns ofSultanate of Riau-Lingga, the Natuna Islands were part of the Archipelago of Seven Islands/Pulau-pulau Tudjuh/Tujuh which were consisted of the Anambas Islands (currently a separated regency in the province), theBadas Islands (part of Island District of Tambelan inBintan Regency), Great Natuna/Bunguran Islands, Sejang, Serasan Islands, Subi Islands, andTambelan Archipelago (part of Bintan Regency).^[34] Although government of Kawedanan of Tudjuh Archipelago was dissolved in 1964, its island districts/kecamatan who formed Tudjuh Archipelago still existed until its dissolution in 1999, the sunrise of devolution era government in Indonesia.

In the early 19th century, theDutch further expanded their colonial power in the Indonesian archipelago, including the Natuna Islands. InThe Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the two colonial powers divided their territories in Southeast Asia, with the Netherlands controlling the Indonesian archipelago and England controlling the Malay Peninsula. With this agreement, the Netherlands felt they had rights over areas in the Riau Islands, including Natuna.^[35][36]

However, due to its remote location and inaccessibility, the Dutch initially did not supervise the Natuna Islands directly. It was not until the mid-19th century that the Dutch East Indies began to explore the Natuna Islands further and officially annexed the islands into their colonial territory. The aim was to strengthen control in strategic waters and secure trade routes. The Dutch colonial government then designated Natuna as part of theRiau Residency under the supervision of the Riau Resident based inTanjung Pinang.^[37][38]

During the Dutch colonial period, life in the Natuna Islands remained largely agrarian and simple. The Dutch did little infrastructure development in the area, although they often patrolled the border to maintain security.^[39]

WhenJapanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies during World War II in 1942-1945, the Natuna Islands were also under the control of theJapanese Empire. Japan saw Natuna as a strategic location for their military defense because of its location in the South China Sea. Therefore, Japan built several military bases on these islands as part of their defense plan in the Southeast Asia region.^[40][41]

The Japanese occupation brought many difficulties to the people of Natuna, because in addition to the heavy Japanese military presence, food was also difficult to obtain.^[42] After Japan surrendered in 1945, Indonesia proclaimed independence, but Natuna still had to face a complicated transition period as colonial rule ended.

After theproclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, the Natuna Islands became part of the newly independent Republic of Indonesia. Initially, Natuna was part of theCentral Sumatra Province. However, due to its strategic position and location on the border of the South China Sea, the Indonesian government then decided to move the Natuna administration toRiau Province in 1957.^[43]

As Indonesia's territory expanded, in 2002 the Natuna Islands became part of theRiau Islands Province, after the province was formed as a separate province from Riau Province.^[44] The formation of the Riau Islands Province provided greater autonomy for border areas such as Natuna, as well as greater attention to infrastructure, economic and defense development.^[45]

The Natuna Islands are a 272-islandarchipelago ofIndonesia, located in theNatuna Sea^[46][47] betweenPeninsular Malaysia to the west andBorneo to the east. They extend in a NNW direction for 300 km from Tanjung Api, the northwest extremity ofKalimantan/Borneo. The Natuna Sea itself is a section of the South China Sea.

The North Group consists of a large island (Pulau Laut), two small islands and several adjacent islets and reefs which lie about 50 km NNW ofNatuna Besar Island. Pulau Laut is about 11 km long with a greatest width of 5 km towards the south; it is generally hilly, rising to 273 metres near its north end.

TheMiddle Group consists ofNatuna Besar orBunguran Island, which contains the bulk of the area and population of the archipelago, together with small offshore islets and reefs; theBodas Islands (Kepulauan Bodas) are a group of moderately high wooded islands lying close to the southwest coast of Natuna Besar, and are administratively classed as the districts of Pulau Tiga and Pulau Tiga Barat.

TheSouthern Group (Kepulauan Natuna Selatan) consists primarily of two groups of islands separated from the coast of Kalimantan by the Api Passage. TheSubi Islands (Kepulauan Subi) of which the main islands are Subi Besar, Subi Kecil, Bakau, Panjang and Seraya, lie southeast of Natuna Besar.Serasan Island (Pulau Serasan) is the largest of the group of islands lying further to the southeast and nearer to Kalimantan, from which it is separated by the Serasan Strait. A third group - centred onMidai Island - lies to the west of the Subi Islands.

The highest point of the Bunguran Islands is Mount Ranai at 1,035 metres (3,396 ft). The islands had a population of 52,000 inhabitants according to the 2010 census; the estimated population in mid 2023 was about 64,250. The principal settlement isRanai. The island can be reached by scheduled air services viaRanai Airport.

Natuna has large reserves of natural gas (estimated at 1.3 billion m³) that is exported to neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.^{[citation needed]}Matak Island located inAnambas now functions as an offshore exploitation base.

The Natuna Islands are part of theBorneo lowland rain forests ecoregion.^[48]

The Natuna Islands have a remarkableavifauna with 71 species of bird registered, including the near-threatenedlesser fish eagle, theNatuna serpent-eagle. Other endangered species include thegreen iora, thebrown fulvetta or thegreen broadbill.^[49]

The Natuna Islands is home to threespecies of non-humanprimates: the slowloris (Nycticebus coucang), the long-tailedmacaque (Macaca fascicularis), and the Natunaleaf monkey (a.k.a. Natuna pale-thighed surili,Presbytis natunae).^[50][51] A small number of wild goats live on the island as well as sea birds. Over 360 species of bird have been recorded on the island.^[52]

Colourful coral reefs are found in the neighbouring waters. The Natuna banded leaf monkey,Presbytis natunae,^[53] is among the 25 most endangered primates on Earth.

As of 2010, the Regency was divided into twelvedistricts (kecamatan), but on 10 December 2014 three additional districts were created by dividing existing districts, and two further districts have subsequently been created by similar division. The seventeen districts are tabulated below from north to south with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census^[14] and the 2020 census,^[15] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.^[8] The table also includes the location of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages (70 ruraldesa and 7 urbankelurahan) within each district and its postcodes.

Notes: (a) the populations of the new Pulau Seluan District are included in the figures for Bunguran Utara District, from which it was split off in 2022.
(b) comprising 4kelurahan (Bandarsyah, Batu Hitam, Ranai Darat and Ranai Kota) and 3desa. (c) the 2010 population of the new Bunguran Batubi District is included in the figure for Bunguran Barat District, from which it was split off in 2014.
(d) the 2010 population of the new Pulau Tiga Barat District is included in the figure for Pulau Tiga District, from which it was split off in 2014.
(e) the 2010 population of the new Suak Midai District is included in the figure for Midai District, from which it was split off in 2014.
(f) the populations of the new Pulau Panjang District are included in the figures for Subi District, from which it was split off in 2022.

Indonesia'sEEZ extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its shores (as per the 1982 UNCLOS), which, around Natuna, means it is slightly intersected by China'snine-dash line, defining its widely disputed claim to most of theSouth China Sea. In 2014–2015, the presence of theIndonesian National Armed Forces on the islands was reinforced, which theIndonesian government hoped would reduce the chance of any conflict.^[18] Then from late 2019, Chinese fishing vessels increased illegal activity within the EEZ, escorted by aChinese Coast Guard vessel. Indonesia responded with a formal diplomatic protest to Beijing^[71] and then deployed to the region a further 600 troops and eightnavy warships, along with aerial support. The naval presence includedAhmad Yani-classfrigates,Bung Tomo-classcorvettes, andKapitan Pattimura-classASW corvettes, while aerial support came fromNaval aviationCN-235 MPA aircraft, fourIndonesian Air ForceF-16s and aBoeing 737-2x9, withBAEHawk aircraft nearby on alert. A visit to the area by President Joko Widodo in early January 2020 reinforced Indonesia's resolve not to tolerate such incursions.^[72]

During a November 2024 state visit by Indonesian PresidentProbowo Subianto to China, Indonesia and China signed a memorandum of understanding for "joint maritime development" in the area of the two countries "overlapping claims" near the Natuna Islands.^[73] Indonesia's Foreign Ministry subsequently issued a statement that the memorandum did not impact Indonesia's sovereignty or rights in the area and stating that in Indonesia's view the Chinese claims do not have a legal basis.^[73] Critics of the memorandum who were quoted by theSouth China Morning Post contended that the wording could support China's position regarding the South China Sea claims.^[73]

Natuna Regency has great economic potential, especially in the marine, fisheries, and marine tourism sectors which are rich in natural beauty, such as beaches, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity. This potential can be the main source of regional income and create jobs for the local community. However, economic development in Natuna Regency faces challenges in infrastructure and inter-island connectivity as well as accessibility to other regions, which are still limited and affect the distribution of goods and public services.^[74] Therefore, the development of infrastructure such as ports, small airports, and adequate transportation routes is urgently needed to improve connectivity and accelerate regional economic development. In addition, to reduce dependence on natural resources and maintain long-term economic stability, diversification efforts into more sustainable sectors are needed. Increasing human resource capacity through training in the fisheries, tourism, and marine product processing sectors is also an important step to increase regional competitiveness and support the welfare of the Natuna community in a sustainable manner.^[75][76]

According to the 2010 census returns (released in 2011), the population of the islands stood at 69,003 people.^[14] 85.27% of the inhabitants wereMalays, with the remainder consisting ofJavanese,Sumatrans andChinese. By the 2020 census, this had grown to 81,495,^[15] and by mid 2023 it had grown to 83,668.^[8]

Islam is the dominant religion in the islands,^[78] with 96.97% of the total population identify themselves as Muslim. Other religions are Christianity, which forms 1.66% of the total population, Buddhism, which forms 1.23% of the total population, and Confucianism, which forms 0.14% of the total population. The largest mosque is located in the north-east corner of the islands. TheMasjid Agung Natuna was built over two years from 2007 to 2009, and is visited by at least 10,000 people every day.

The military harbour was headquartered on Teuku Umar for Navy ships tasked on the Natuna Sea.

Ranai-Natuna Airport is located atRanai, the capital city of Natuna Regency. The airport is also a Type B airbase of theIndonesian Air Force.^[79] Other than that, the airport also serves civilian flights. The airport also accommodates large military aircraft.^[80] A new passenger terminal opened in October 2016, inaugurated by PresidentJoko Widodo.^[81][82]

The airport resides at an elevation of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) abovemean sea level. It has onerunway designated 18/36 with anasphalt surface measuring 2,560 m x 32 m (8,399 ft × 105 ft). The runway is planned to be widened to 80 m in 2020. Moreover, the airport has an apron measuring 120 m x 60 m and a taxiway measuring 50 m x 32 m.^[83]

The recently built terminal at the airport has an area of 3,868 m², many times larger than the old terminal which only had an area of 243 m². The new terminal can accommodate around 13,850 passengers daily.^[82] The parking lot has been expanded to 5,020 m² and can now cater to around 3,940 cars and 750 motorcycles. Other facilities inside the airport are the Aviation Accidents Rescue and Fire Fighting building, a generator and the pump house.

• Anambas Islands
• Badas Islands
• Tambelan archipelago

• National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (2005)"Borneo: Northwest Coast and Kepulauan Tudjuh"Sailing directions (enroute): Borneo, Jawa, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

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