Satgas PKH: Rare Sand Exports Banned by Government

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has confirmed that rare sand exports are prohibited by government export trade regulations. Spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak made the statement in response to a denial from PT Putraprima Mineral Mandiri’s (PMM) legal representatives regarding containers found in Batam, Riau Islands, suspected to contain rare sand. ‘Rare sand exports have been banned under the government’s export trade regulations,’ Barita told Kompas.com on Friday (29 May 2026). He explained that the inspection process for the container contents was not straightforward as PT PMM objected when the materials were to be tested. ‘When we tried to conduct tests to determine the contents, they refused,’ Barita said. Barita considered the refusal to test as an initial indicator, leading to sample collection for laboratory analysis. ‘Laboratory test results revealed indications of potential violations,’ he added. According to Barita, investigators from the Special Crimes Prosecutor’s Office (Jampidsus) of the Attorney General’s Office have also gone to Batam with Satgas PKH to investigate possible criminal acts in the case. He said the investigation would look into alleged violations including abuse of power, administrative breaches, the Minerals and Coal Law, and export trade regulations. Barita stressed that the government must not allow natural resources to be exported in violation of regulations. ‘We cannot allow natural resources to be exported when regulations are not followed and there are attempts to deceive regarding the discovered objects,’ he concluded.