Batam’s long-running Kampung Jabi pits spark scrutiny over weak oversight near Hang Nadim Airport.
Police in Indonesia’s Riau Islands are deepening their investigation into an alleged long-running illegal sand mining operation in Nongsa, Batam, as residents question why large-scale activity near Hang Nadim International Airport went unchecked for so long.
Police Say Case Still In Development
The Riau Islands Police special crimes unit (Ditreskrimsus) has confirmed that the case, involving illegal sand pits in Kampung Jabi, Batu Besar, Nongsa, remains under active investigation. Subdirectorate Tipidter chief Dharma Negara said investigators are still examining witnesses and piecing together each party’s role. He stressed that no one has yet been formally named a suspect, with the focus still on “case development” rather than early designation of defendants.
Raids Expose Large, Long-Running Operations
The joint raid by Polda Kepri and BP Batam on Sunday, April 12, targeted four suspected illegal sand mining sites and quickly drew public attention. On the ground, officers found large excavation craters, pipe networks and neatly installed dompeng pumps, suggesting a structured, long-term operation rather than a small, ad hoc dig. Three people were detained, and evidence including haulage trucks, shovels and pumping equipment was seized, though police have not disclosed how long the mines have been active or the total number of people initially picked up.
Proximity To Airport Raises Oversight Questions
The extent of the excavated land and the level of equipment deployed have fueled criticism over weak monitoring, especially because the sites lie close to Hang Nadim International Airport. The area should fall under strict supervision linked to the airport’s Flight Operations Safety Zone (KKOP). Deputy head of BP Batam Li Claudia Chandra joined the operation on site, signaling that the case is being taken seriously at senior levels, yet many observers are asking why the pits, believed to have operated for some time, were only shut down now.
Residents Say Trucks Have Run For A Long Time
Local residents say sand trucks have been moving in and out for a long period, particularly at certain times of day, and that the activity is far from new. Some also allege that other illegal sand pits remain active in Batu Besar and nearby Sambau, Nongsa. Their testimony reinforces suspicions that the operations were sizable and sustained, not isolated or recent. People living around the sites are calling for a broader sweep of the area and a deeper probe into how many locations are involved.
Calls To Probe Possible Collusion And Negligence
Community members have urged law enforcement not to stop at field raids, but to fully investigate everyone suspected of involvement, including potential enablers who may have turned a blind eye. They want clarity on whether there was official negligence or tacit permission that allowed the mines to grow near such a sensitive aviation zone. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, especially given Batam’s strategic role just across the strait, the case highlights recurring concerns about illegal resource extraction, environmental risk and the need for consistent enforcement that reaches both operators on the ground and any backers behind the scenes.
The unfolding investigation into Nongsa’s illegal sand pits underscores how environmental crime can flourish when oversight lags, even beside critical infrastructure like an international airport. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the outcome will test whether authorities can match high-profile raids with thorough accountability, closing the gaps that let long-running, damaging operations persist in plain sight.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Jawa Pos (2026)
Keywords: Batu Besar Sand Pit, Dharma Negara Statement, Hang Nadim Airport KKOP, Li Claudia Chandra, Weak Oversight Allegations, Community Complaints
