Government will not tolerate those who damage the Raja Ampat ecosystem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism has reminded tourists to comply with the regulations enforced to protect the ecosystem of the Raja Ampat area in Southwest Papua Province, stating that the government will not tolerate anyone who damages the ecosystem in that nature tourism destination.

“We affirm that there is zero tolerance for anyone who damages the Raja Ampat ecosystem,” the Ministry of Tourism said in a press statement on Tuesday, following a case of an alleged turtle killing and the shooting of fish in Raja Ampat.

The Ministry of Tourism conveyed that tourists visiting Indonesia are obliged to comply with and respect the conservation regulations enforced by the Indonesian government.

The conservation regulations in question include a ban on hunting and injuring protected wildlife; damaging coral reefs; taking, injuring, or killing protected marine biota; and carrying out other activities that could threaten the sustainability of the ecosystem.

Regarding the case of the alleged turtle killing and shooting of fish by tourists in Raja Ampat, the Ministry of Tourism has asked the authorities to investigate all parties involved.

The ministry stated that anyone proven to have provided equipment, transported, accompanied, facilitated, or allowed the violation must be held accountable in accordance with applicable regulations.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the demand for legal accountability must not stop at the main perpetrators, but must target all individuals and parties involved.

“Our message is clear: anyone who comes to Raja Ampat or to Indonesian territory must obey Indonesian law. If they violate it, they must be prepared to face the legal consequences,” the Ministry of Tourism said.

News of a Chinese tourist who shot fish and consumed the meat of a protected turtle in Raja Ampat recently circulated on social media platforms and drew condemnation from the public.

The tourist was reported to have been barred from travel and detained by immigration officers on 14 September 2026, whilst at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The legal violation case is being handled by the Raja Ampat Resort Police and the Southwest Papua Regional Police.