KKP temporarily halts illegal reclamation in Lingga Island, Riau Islands

Batam (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has temporarily halted illegal reclamation activities in Kelumu Village, Lingga Island, Riau Islands Province (Kepri). “Today, we have temporarily stopped the activities of PT Harap Panjang (PT HP) because they are utilising marine space without the Marine Space Utilisation Activity Compliance Approval (PKKPRL),” said the Head of the Batam Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Station (PSDKP), Semuel Sandi Rundupadang, after sealing the unauthorised reclamation in Lingga Island on Thursday. PKKPRL is a mandatory basic licensing document for businesses utilising marine space permanently for more than 30 days, issued by the KKP. He mentioned that the area of marine space used without permission is around 0.063 hectares, or approximately 600 square metres, in Penarik Hamlet, Kelumu Village, Lingga. This space was used to facilitate the transport of construction materials when entering the island. The sealing was carried out based on Article 4 Paragraph (1) letters h and i of Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 30 of 2021 on Marine Space Supervision, as amended by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 5 of 2025 on amendments to Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 30 of 2021 on Marine Space Supervision. Semuel also stated that PT HP had not previously processed the PKKPRL document. “Therefore, we informed them that this is not just punishment but also education so that in the future, if they carry out activities here, they should obtain documents for utilising marine space,” he said. He added that if the business obtains the required permits, the seal will be lifted. However, there will be administrative sanctions in the form of fines for the violation. “Residents reported suspicions of marine space utilisation without permission. Two weeks ago, we received the information and immediately checked using a drone to see if there was any utilisation extending beyond the coastline,” he said. Once the assessment was verified, his team met with PT HP to explain the violation and proceeded with the sealing on Thursday. He also noted that the filling activities impact the ecosystem and coastal communities. “It certainly has an impact because there are changes to the ecosystem structure in this area. Therefore, in the future, when they carry out activities, they must comply with regulations and zoning,” he said.