Indonesian ministry enforces suspension over permit violations, citing risk to marine ecosystems
Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has shut down development activities on three small islands in the Riau Islands Province, including two near Singapore, due to permit violations and environmental concerns.
KKP Seals Off Three Islands Over Violations
On July 19, 2025, the Directorate General of Marine and Fishery Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) led by Pung Nugroho Saksono, also known as Ipunk, ordered the suspension of activities on three islands in Riau Islands Province—Pulau Citlim in Karimun and Pulau Kapal Besar and Pulau Kapal Kecil in Batam. All three sites lacked essential permits for marine space utilization and reclamation, triggering regulatory action.
Ipunk stated that the companies operating on these islands failed to secure Persetujuan Kesesuaian Kegiatan Pemanfaatan Ruang Laut (PKKPRL), along with reclamation permits and recommendations from the KKP. “This is a clear response to community reports and our commitment to protect marine ecosystems,” he asserted.
Reclamation Activities and Ecological Concerns
The company PT Dewi Citra Kencana (DCK) had been reclaiming Pulau Kapal Besar and Pulau Kapal Kecil without approval. These islands, located in Batam’s Belakang Padang district and only around 50 kilometers in size, were sealed off with official signage. DCK has now been ordered to halt all activities until full compliance is achieved.
In a separate incident, Pulau Citlim in Karimun was also shut down. Previously used for inland sand mining (classified under Galian C) by PT JPS, the operation was conducted without any legal recommendation from the KKP regarding small island use. The ministry emphasized the damage this could cause to local ecosystems and marine resources.
Additional Island Targeted: Pulau Layang
Beyond the three confirmed closures, PSDKP also flagged Pulau Layang, also in Batam, for unauthorized development. The activity there reportedly involved deforestation of mangrove trees—an ecological red flag. While the enforcement is still in its initial stage, Ipunk confirmed that further investigation is underway to assess potential long-term damage.
All actions are supported by Ministerial Regulation No. 30 of 2021, which empowers Polisi Khusus PWP3K to intervene in spatial and marine violations. Moreover, Permen KP No. 10/2024 and Permen KP No. 28/2021, as well as Government Regulation No. 28/2025, mandate businesses to obtain marine spatial use approval and reclamation permits prior to any development.
Multistakeholder Cooperation Underway
KKP plans to involve several agencies to strengthen the investigation, including the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Environmental Services, and the Riau Islands Integrated Licensing Office (DPMPTSP). This coordinated approach aims to speed up enforcement, environmental restoration, and long-term compliance.
The crackdown sends a strong message to developers who might exploit Indonesia’s marine territories without regard for legal and ecological responsibilities. “We will not stand by. This is our firm commitment to protect the sea and its resources,” Ipunk concluded.
This decisive action by the KKP is more than a regulatory enforcement—it reflects growing vigilance over marine conservation and sustainable development. With two of the sealed islands close to Singapore’s maritime borders, the move holds cross-border ecological implications. It reinforces Indonesia’s legal authority while signaling zero tolerance for unregulated exploitation in shared marine zones.
Sources: Detik.com (2025) , Tribun Batam (2025)
Keywords: KKP, Batam Islands, Illegal Reclamation, Marine Law Enforcement, Pulau Citlim, Dewi Citra Kencana
