Minister Nusron Issues Stern Warning Over Rampant Sea Caving Practices in Batam and Beyond
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid has warned those engaged in the encroachment of sea space areas at several locations across Indonesia, including Batam. He has therefore called on the relevant authorities, particularly BP Batam and other regions, to take immediate action to bring these practices under control.
According to Nusron, the Ministry of ATR/BPN is currently receiving a flood of complaints revealing that many sea space areas have already been carved up into plots.
Yet, he said, plots may only be allocated once the land physically exists. He made these remarks at a press conference on the ministry’s services at his office on Monday (3/8/2026).
He explained that plot allocation, or land allocation (PL), must be based on applicable legal regulations. These range from Government Regulation (PP) No 18/2021 on Management Rights, Land Rights, Flats Units and Land Registration, PP No 22/2021 on Environmental Protection and Management, PP No 27/2021 on Maritime and Fisheries Affairs, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation (PermenKP) No 28/2021 on Marine Spatial Planning, PermenKP No 25/2010 on Reclamation Permits in Coastal Areas and Small Islands, and Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of BPN Regulation (PermenATR/BPN) No 18/2021 on Procedures for Establishing Management Rights and Land Rights.
“We have received complaints in Batam City, at BP Batam and in other cities, where a great deal of sea has been carved up into plots, even sold or entered into partnerships with third parties. It is most widespread in Batam, but it also occurs in other regions,” said Nusron, quoted on Wednesday (5/8/2026).
“There are many complaints on our desk. That is why we will issue a letter to respond. The essential point is that the sea may not be carved up into plots, meaning PL certificates issued before the land exists,” he stressed.
Under the provisions set out in that body of law, he explained, plot allocation may only proceed if it complies with the legal procedural stages. It begins with the designation of a reclamation location plan, after which approval is granted in the form of a Sea Space Utilisation Activity Suitability Approval (PKKPRL).
“Only then comes environmental approval, after which the reclamation permit is issued, followed by reclamation supervision. After that, verification and then reclamation itself, and subsequently the Land Space Utilisation Activity Suitability (KKPR Darat). After that there is an application for HPL (Management Rights), then the land location is designated, and only then can HGB (Building Rights) be granted over the HPL,” Nusron explained.
“So now what often happens is that there is no reclamation plan designation, no PKKPRL, yet land has already been designated. That means the rules have been violated, procedures have been skipped — there are eight stages being skipped,” he said.
Nusron emphasised that the sea and the coast are public space for common use, not for private use.
“If the sea or coast is carved up into plots without a PKKPRL permit and before a reclamation permit, that is called the encroachment of common-use public space for private interests. That is not permitted,” Nusron asserted.