Why Haji Isam's Cruise Ship Bears the Defence Ministry Logo

The expedition cruise ship J7 Explorer, owned by South Kalimantan businessman Andi Samsudin Arsyad, also known as Haji Isam, has drawn attention on social media. The hull of the 120-metre luxury vessel appears to bear the official logo of Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the private ship has indeed been deployed to support operations and logistics for national strategic programmes, particularly the acceleration of food security in various regions of Indonesia.

Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, explained that the placement of the ministry’s logo on the vessel owned by Jhonlin Marine Transport indicates that the fleet’s operational activities are under government authority and assignment.

“The ship is used to support activities and the mobilisation of food security programme requirements being implemented in several regions of Indonesia, including Wanam, South Papua, as well as areas in Kalimantan and Sumatra,” Rico said in a statement on Saturday (15/8/2026).

Rico stated that ownership of the asset remains with the private party. However, its utilisation is fully directed towards supporting the nation’s major effort to achieve food self-sufficiency.