<![CDATA[Riau Islands Province is a strategic region sharing direct borders with Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, thereby playing a crucial role in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The geographical complexity of this archipelagic region, combined with high levels of cross-border activity, makes the management of maritime border areas a significant issue regarding national law and state sovereignty. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the national legal framework for managing maritime border areas in Riau Islands Province and to identify obstacles to its implementation concerning the protection of state sovereignty. The research employs a normative-empirical legal method, utilizing statutory, conceptual, and case-based approaches. Data were gathered through a review of legislation, scholarly literature, policy documents, and other sources relevant to maritime border management. The findings indicate that Indonesia possesses a relatively comprehensive regulatory frameworkâcomprising Law No. 43 of 2008 on State Territory, Law No. 32 of 2014 on Marine Affairs, and various implementing regulations supported by the provisions of UNCLOS 1982. However, the effectiveness of implementation faces obstacles such as overlapping institutional authority, limited surveillance facilities and infrastructure, the region's archipelagic geography, and low legal awareness among some border communities. Therefore, strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing maritime surveillance capacity, developing border area infrastructure, and empowering local communities are essential to support more effective maritime border management in safeguarding state sovereignty.]]>
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