Jessica Mila Visits Padar Island During Sailing Closure, BTNK Explains

The Komodo National Park Office (BTNK) has explained its reasons for continuing to serve tourists visiting Padar Island while tourist boat sailings were closed on 7 August 2026. This included the visit by celebrity Jessica Mila and her entourage to Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. The closure of tourist boat sailings at that time was implemented by the Labuan Bajo Class III Harbour Master and Port Authority Office (KSOP) due to bad weather. However, the sailing closure did not automatically shut down tourism services within the Komodo National Park area. In a written statement, BTNK said Jessica Mila and other tourists were still served for trekking on Padar Island as on normal days. BTNK explained that its officers work every day in 10-day watch shifts, so on 7 August there were still officers in the Padar Island area. Tourism service activities in Komodo National Park continued as usual. BTNK outlined several reasons why officers continued working during the tourist boat sailing closure period. One reason was the possibility that tourist boats were already inside the Komodo National Park area before the sailing closure was imposed by KSOP. Additionally, there was a possibility of tourist boats arriving from the west or outside the closure area, such as from the Sape region and its surroundings. BTNK stressed that field officers provide services to visitors in the area in accordance with applicable regulations. BTNK stated that the closure of tourist boat sailings falls under the authority of KSOP Labuan Bajo, which regulates safety and security aspects of sailing. Meanwhile, tourism services within Komodo National Park remain under BTNK’s authority. BTNK continues to provide services to visitors who are already in the area or who arrive in accordance with applicable regulations. Nevertheless, BTNK still urges all tourist boat operators and service users to comply with any prohibitions or restrictions on sailing issued by the competent authorities, especially when related to tourist safety and security factors. The tourist boat that carried Jessica Mila and her group to Padar Island was the cruise ship Maloekoe. KSOP Labuan Bajo previously stressed that the vessel’s sailing to Padar Island violated regulations because its Sailing Approval Letter (SPB) was only for Rinca Island. The ship’s captain was subsequently sanctioned with a temporary suspension of his seafarer’s certificate and is prohibited from sailing as a captain during the suspension period.