Indonesian Navy Thwarts Unauthorised Entry of Foreign Tourists into Komodo National Park

Personnel from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) thwarted a plan by several foreign tourists to visit Kalong Island in Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday afternoon. The group of nearly ten tourists was attempting to depart from Warloka Village Port in the Komodo District, located approximately one hour by road from Labuan Bajo Marina.

The tourists’ plan to enjoy the sunset amidst the scenery of Kalong Island was halted because the group intended to use a tour boat that lacked clearance from the Class III Labuan Bajo Port Authority and Shipping Office (KSOP). “They did not have the barcode issued by the KSOP. There was no clearance from the Harbour Master,” stated the Warloka Post Commander, Sergeant Analis, following the intervention.

Analis noted that the tourists were planning to use an open-deck type tour boat, which had also not received a Sailing Approval Letter (SPB) from the Labuan Bajo Port Authority. Consequently, authorities have requested that both the tourists and the boat owners obtain the necessary permits from the KSOP before conducting any tourism activities within Komodo National Park.

“We have asked them to return and arrange clearance with the Harbour Master,” added Analis. The Navy’s intervention took place in front of hundreds of local residents gathered at the Warloka pier, who were awaiting the arrival of the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, for an inspection of the Merah Putih Fishing Village in Warloka.