Minister Hanif Stops Unauthorized Sea Sand Dredging on Pari Island

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Environment said dredging sea sand without a permit on Pari Island is illegal and can potentially damage the marine ecosystem and have social and economic impacts. "We will act decisively to ensure that development is carried out according to applicable regulations," Hanif said in a written statement on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Following the public report, Hanif ordered Deputy for Environmental Rizal Irawan to collect data and information at the location from January 21 to 23, 2025. The dredging activity was allegedly carried out for the reclamation of a tourist resort without being equipped with a Business License, Environmental Approval, Environmental Documents, or Environmental Management Technical Approval.

Following Government Regulation Number 5 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing and Government Regulation Number 22 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management, basically, the authority to issue permits and supervision is the authority of the Provincial Government of the Special Region of Jakarta.

"Based on Article 73 of Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, the Minister of Environment has the authority to supervise in the event of serious violations in the field of Environmental Protection and Management," Hanif said.

Rizal said that development without licensing is illegal and has the potential to cause environmental damage because environmental documents are not used as a reference. "The absence of environmental documents as guidelines increases the risk of damage to ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves," Rizal said.

On this basis, the Ministry of Environment ordered a temporary halt to unauthorized sea sand dredging in coordination with the Provincial Government of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, as the party with the authority to issue permits and supervise. This temporary suspension aims to prevent the potential for greater .

Rizal also emphasized that based on Article 73 of Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, the Ministry of Environment has the authority to supervise and take action against serious environmental protection and management violations. "We will conduct a deepening of the alleged environmental damage caused by involving experts to examine the social, economic and environmental impacts," he said.

This step also includes further examination by the Environmental Supervisory Team and Civil Servant Investigators against those responsible for businesses or activities that dredge sea sand without a permit. The team will work closely with the Jakarta Government to ensure the issue is resolved in accordance with applicable legal provisions. "We are committed to protecting the environment from destructive activities, and ensuring that every development is carried out in accordance with applicable regulations," he concluded.

IRSYAN HASYIM | ERWIN PRIMA 

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