Batek Island might be uninhabited, but to officials of Kupang Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, that doesn't mean it's not important. Like Sipadan and Ligitan, which were seized by Malaysia, the issue of Batek was all about Indonesia's sovereignty.

Fishermen sailing near Batek say they often see the United Nations troops who guard East Timor visiting the island. They come by in large and modern ships. Last year, even East Timor officials came asho