Investigation into Tangerang Sea Fence to Continue: AHY
The controversy surrounding the sea fence discovered in Tangerang, Banten, has sparked a rigorous investigation by the Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Ministry. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), emphasized the importance of this investigation to uphold Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty and prevent any individual or company from acting arbitrarily.
AHY’s directive to the ministry to conduct a thorough investigation underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring legal certainty for the land within the Republic of Indonesia’s territory. The need for detailed spatial planning at the national, provincial, and local levels was reiterated to prevent unauthorized land use that could harm the region’s designated purpose.
Ministerial Actions and Consequences
In response to the discovery of the 30-kilometer sea fence, Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid took swift action by terminating six ministry employees and imposing severe sanctions on two others. Furthermore, 50 out of 263 land use rights certificates and 17 land ownership rights were revoked as they did not adhere to legal provisions.
Among the revoked certificates, one belonged to PT Intan Agung Makmur, a subsidiary of the Agung Sedayu Group owned by tycoon Sugianto Kusuma alias Aguan. Wahid emphasized that the review of land boundaries and coastlines revealed violations of legal provisions, prompting the ministry to take decisive measures to enforce compliance. The examination of other certificates is ongoing to ensure alignment with the coastline regulations.
Government Action and Public Response
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries sealed off the sea fence on January 15, 2025, triggering a sense of bewilderment among both government officials and the public. President Prabowo Subianto’s order for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) to remove the sea fence in 16 villages across six sub-districts demonstrated the government’s commitment to upholding legal regulations and protecting Indonesia’s maritime integrity.
The swift and resolute actions taken by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning underscore the government’s dedication to enforcing legal provisions and safeguarding Indonesia’s territorial integrity. The ongoing investigation into the sea fence in Tangerang reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance with spatial planning regulations to prevent unauthorized land use. As the inquiry progresses, the repercussions of the discovered violations will continue to unfold, shedding light on the importance of maintaining legal certainty and protecting Indonesia’s territorial boundaries.
