Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has found a surge in unauthorized utilization of small islands, especially in Riau and the Riau Islands. According to the Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, A. Koswara, on Friday, August 1, these practices are most common in mining areas.

He mentioned that most illegal use is for mining activities, although some are for tourism. "Some are for mining, some for tourism, but mostly it's harmful mining," he added. However, Koswara did not specify the number of violations found.

The ministry recently sealed unauthorized marine space and small island use in three locations in the Riau Islands on Saturday, July 19, 2025, namely Citlim Island (Karimun Regency), Kapal Besar Island, and Kapal Kecil Island (Batam City).

On Citlim Island, the sand mining activity (C excavation) by PT JPS was found without proper recommendation by the ministry. Meanwhile, businesses owned by PT DCK on Kapal Besar and Kapal Kecil islands were sealed for not having small island utilization recommendations, basic permits in the form of the Compliance Approval for Marine Space Utilization Activities (PKKPRL), and reclamation permits.

Koswara stated that several companies have operated on small islands without official permits, while others are in the process of obtaining permits. "We need to work on those who have already breached the law; they must restore the environment," he said.

As a supervisory measure, the government has issued Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2025 concerning risk-based licensing implementation in small island clusters. This regulation authorizes the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry tobe the first agency to face while obtaining business permits on small islands.

As the ministry is now first in line to process the permits, supervision becomes easier. "This will facilitate the monitoring and surveillance of coastal areas," said the Director of Coastal and Small Islands of the KKP, Ahmad Aris, in a press conference in Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision (PSDKP) Pung Nugroho Saksono stated that until June 2025, his office has taken action against 187 business actors for violations of marine resources.

– Arif Ilham Fajriadi contributed to the writing of this article

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2035141/kkp-unveils-rampant-illegal-mining-activities-on-riaus-small-island