ASIATODAY.ID, BATAM – Two Singapore-flagged dredgers MV YC 6 and MV ZS 9 were arrested in the Batam Sea, Riau Islands by a team from the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The two ships are suspected of carrying out illegal sand dredging activities.
Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Pung Nugroho Saksono witnessed the process of stopping and inspecting the two ships directly from inside the Orca 03 Monitoring Ship.
He was there on a working visit to Nipah Island, which is one of the outermost islands in the Riau Archipelago, on Wednesday, October 9 2024.
“This is proof of our seriousness in taking firm action against those who use sea sand who do not comply with the provisions, especially if they do not have valid licensing documents. “Business actors are expected to maintain orderly administration and applicable regulations, so that the public can experience the use of marine and fisheries resources,” said Ipunk, his familiar name, in an official statement quoted on Friday, October 11 2024.
Ipunk also explained that Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023 concerning Management of Sedimentation in the Sea is one of the legal foundations for Controlling Coastal Areas and Small Islands. The government is responsible for protecting and preserving the marine environment.
“For this reason, the state is here to bring order, as a commitment to realizing ecology as commander in chief so that the management of marine resources can be sustainable and in accordance with regulations. “If this sea is managed well, the government can ensure everything complies with existing regulations, but if it doesn’t comply, then we will discipline it,” he said.
Ipunk explained that during the inspection, MV YC 6 measuring 8012 gross tonnage (GT) and MV ZS 9 measuring 8559 GT were indicated to be carrying out sea sand mining in Indonesian territory not in accordance with the rules and regulations.
“This is the result of tracking and we can prove to the public that there are foreign ships suspected of stealing sea sand in Indonesian territory,” he explained.
“According to the captain’s confession, they often enter Indonesian territory. In fact, up to 10 people can enter here (Indonesia) in one month without valid permit documents. “We don’t even have any ship documents, we only have a captain’s diploma and a birth certificate,” he said.
On the sand suction ship carrying 10 thousand cubic meters of sand there were 16 crew members, 2 Indonesian citizens, 1 Malaysian citizen and 13 Chinese citizens.
“They sucked sand for 9 hours and got 10 thousand (cubic meters) in one trip for 3 days. This ship can come here 10 times in one month. “This means that in one month this ship is able to steal 100,000 cubic meters of Indonesian sea sand,” he said.
Ipunk also emphasized that his party would continue to monitor and control illegal dredger vessels operating in other waters. This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 Number 12 of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Determination of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law stating that every person who uses space from Coastal Waters is required to have a KKPRL from the Central Government .
“We are here to enforce control. We hope that we can remain orderly. “With this pattern, the government steps in directly to ensure that existing regulations can be implemented by business actors and local governments,” he said.
On the same occasion, the Director General of Marine and Marine Space Management, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Viktor Gustaaf Manoppo explained that up to now, in PP 26 of 2023 concerning the management of sedimentation results there has not been a single permit issued by the government.
“By regulation, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has not issued a permit to anyone. Regarding operational management of sedimentation results. The total estimated potential loss to the state if calculated from this activity in one year, is 100,000 cubic meters multiplied by 12 months if the sand is exported, the total could reach hundreds of billions per year in state losses. This is just marine resources (sea sand) not to mention the permits required others might do more than that,” he said.
Previously, the Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, had opened his voice regarding the issuance of Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023 concerning Management of Sedimentation Products in the Sea.
Trenggono said that this sedimentation export could be carried out in the form of sand resulting from sedimentation. However, exports can be carried out if domestic needs are met. (AT Network)
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