BP Batam Responds to Marine Plotting Controversy, Clarifies Licensing Facts
The Head of the Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam), Amsakar Achmad, has spoken out in response to reports of widespread marine space plotting, particularly in Batam. Amsakar affirmed that BP Batam fully supports the steps taken by the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, to strengthen land administration and the utilisation of marine space in accordance with statutory regulations. He stated that this arrangement is part of a shared commitment to realise orderly, transparent, and accountable land governance, as well as to provide legal certainty for the community and the business world.
With the enactment of Government Regulations (PP) No. 25/2025, PP No. 28/2025, PP No. 47/2025, and PP No. 48/2025, Amsakar said BP Batam is adjusting its service system and land management governance according to the authority granted by the government. This aims to deliver faster, easier, and more transparent services while providing certainty for investors, without neglecting the fulfilment of all administrative, technical, and environmental requirements as mandated by law. ‘BP Batam fully supports the central government’s efforts to regulate the utilisation of marine space and land administration. This arrangement is part of a collective endeavour to present better governance, provide legal certainty, and maintain the sustainability of development and the investment climate in Batam City,’ Amsakar said in a statement on Thursday (6/8/2026).
He further explained that under the current provisions, any activity utilising coastal areas through reclamation must go through stages including the Approval for Marine Space Utilisation Activity Conformity (PKKPRL), issuance of a Reclamation Permit, implementation and verification of reclamation results, granting of Management Rights (HPL) to BP Batam over the reclamation results, land allocation, Approval for Spatial Utilisation Conformity (PKKPR), granting of land rights in accordance with provisions, and Building Approval (PBG). Regarding land allocations in water areas issued in previous periods that have not yet been reclaimed, Amsakar added that their resolution needs to be handled carefully, comprehensively, and based on applicable legal provisions to ensure legal certainty for all parties.
‘We want to ensure that every policy pursued not only meets legal aspects but also provides a sense of justice, protects the interests of the state and the community, and maintains investor confidence in Batam as a healthy and competitive investment area,’ he said. As a precautionary measure, BP Batam has sent a letter to the Directorate General of Land Rights Determination and Registration at the Ministry of ATR/BPN to request guidance on the status of land allocations in water areas that have not yet been reclaimed. Amsakar stressed that this step is part of institutional coordination to ensure the resolution of previously issued allocations is carried out in accordance with laws and regulations.
BP Batam will continue to strengthen synergy with the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, and other relevant ministries and institutions to realise orderly, integrated, and sustainable marine space utilisation governance. ‘Batam was built as a national strategic area and one of Indonesia’s main investment gateways. Therefore, every policy must be based on legal certainty, good governance, and strong inter-agency coordination. We believe that the government’s arrangement will further strengthen public and investor confidence in Batam as a conducive area for growth and development,’ he said.
Previously, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Nusron Wahid warned against the practice of encroaching on marine space in several locations in Indonesia, including Batam. He urged the relevant authorities, especially BP Batam, to immediately crack down on these practices. Nusron stated that many complaints had been received by the Ministry of ATR/BPN, revealing that many marine areas had already been parcelled out. He emphasised that plotting should only occur after the land exists, noting that the complaints indicated marine areas were being plotted, sold, and cooperated with third parties, especially in Batam.