Central Java Governor Urges Fishermen to Report Illegal Levies During Free Licensing Programme

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has called on fishermen to report any instances of illegal levies during the processing of their free business permits. ‘Tell your friends to come here so it can be processed immediately. Hopefully, it will be a blessing,’ Luthfi said in a written statement on Monday (22/6/2026). The statement was made during a symbolic handover of business licensing documents for the capture fisheries sub-sector to fishermen, held on the sidelines of the Central Java Provincial Development Consultation event at the Tegal City Pendopo. Luthfi also urged fishermen who have already benefited from the service to inform others to apply for their permits. During the same occasion, the Head of the Central Java Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP), Sakina Rosellasari, explained that the service targets fishermen operating in waters under 12 nautical miles. She noted that the licensing authority for this area lies with the provincial government. ‘Areas under 12 nautical miles usually involve small vessels of less than 10 gross tonnage. Today we are conducting a proactive licensing service. We have an innovation called Jebol Ikan (Jemput Bola Perizinan Kapal Nelayan), which specifically targets fishermen,’ she explained. This proactive approach is deemed necessary because many small-scale fishermen face difficulties accessing digital licensing systems such as the Risk-Based Online Single Submission (OSS RBA). ‘These small fishermen are vulnerable. Their knowledge of OSS and the applications is limited, so we come to them. This is part of excellent public service in Central Java,’ she added. During the service, officers assist fishermen in creating email accounts, filling in OSS RBA data, and processing Business Identification Numbers (NIB), Trading Business Licences (SIUP), and Fish Capture Permits (SIPI). Sakina stressed that the entire process is free of charge and has been implemented in several coastal areas, including Brebes Regency and Tegal City. The service will next be extended to Klidang Lor in Batang Regency. ‘With a permit, fishermen have legal standing for their activities. If there is marine or fisheries supervision, they can show that their vessel and business are licensed,’ she clarified. Meanwhile, Rudi Hartono, Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen’s Association (HNSI) for Brebes Regency, stated that the proactive service helps fishermen obtain business legality. He expressed appreciation to the Central Java Provincial Government, particularly Governor Ahmad Luthfi, for the routine licensing programme for fishermen. ‘In Brebes Regency alone, around 500 fishermen have been served with their permits. But there are still some who haven’t, perhaps because they don’t understand or haven’t received the information,’ he explained. Additionally, around 1,500 vessels under 6 GT in Brebes have been served through the issuance of small vessel documents and Electronic Fishing Vessel Books (E-BKP). He noted that fishermen see the service as providing easy access to permits at no cost. ‘With this proactive service, fishermen feel helped. There is no charge at all. Fishermen finally have their permits,’ he concluded.