Nipah to become 'transit island'

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Nipah Island

In a move to boost the local economy as well as security in the strategic Malacca Strait, Nipah Island that directly borders Singapore's waters will be developed as a transit area for ships passing the key shipping lane.

Located some 20 kilometers north of Batam, in Riau Island province, Nipah Island will be developed as a transit anchorage area to allow various ships to stop before entering Singapore harbor.

The transit island, which will be developed by PT Maxteer Dyrynusa Perdana, a joint venture between PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I and Navy's West Armada, will also serve to supply food, water and other needs.

PT Maxteer's Operational Director, Sakti Prasodjo, told The Jakarta Post that the plan, which will be carried out in stages, was initiated considering the island's strategic location.

The island, he said, is located right along the busy route where large numbers of international ships pass the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait.

In the initial phase, he added that the company and the Navy will set up an integrated service office comprising related offices like immigration, customs, port administration, sea and water police, and the Navy.

Under the plan, the 600 square meter integrated office, the construction of which will start late in August, will have three stories and will be completed on Oct. 18 this year.

"The fee for the ships to anchor on the island while waiting to enter Singapore will be based on a decree by the minister of transportation. If the fee is not competitive enough, we'll ask that it be reviewed," said Sakti.

However, he was reluctant to disclose the amount of investment to be spent on the plan, only saying that the company will also develop several projects and facilities, including a Vessel Traffic Information System which will be equipped with Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) to help monitor sea traffic.

"Nipah's future as a transit island is promising if we look at the operational hours of Singapore harbor which opens from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., forcing some ships to line up. We will offer our service within that time and if possible, with a competitive mooring price compared to them (Singapore)," Sakti said.

With an area of some 60 hectares, the island, which is under the authority of the Batam city administration, is only about 15 minutes from Singapore.

First Admiral Budiharto, Navy Commander in the western region including Batam, said the plan to turn Nipah Island into a transit island and the Navy's presence would also serve to let the international world know of the country's territorial borders.

"I'm not saying that Singapore wants to take over Nipah Island, but we want the international world to know that this small island is ours.

"The development of Nipah Island along with all its facilities will have positive impact on security in the Malacca Strait because of its strategic location, like a police post in the street, so we'll immediately know when there's a piracy incident or anything else," Budiharto said.

There have been rising concerns over security problems in the Malacca Strait, mostly attacks and hijacking by pirates, among countries which use the waterway.