Indonesian Government Firmly Prohibits Island Sale and Purchase
By: Inge Zinia
The government has shown a firm stance on the issue of selling small islands in the national sovereignty area. The spotlight has come after four islands in the Anambas Islands, Riau Islands, were discovered and advertised for sale on international sites. The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MenKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated clearly that no island in Indonesia may be traded. This statement confirms the state’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the territory and sovereignty of the state, especially in coastal areas and small islands.
In a forum with the media, Trenggono said that the use of small islands may only be carried out within a strict regulatory framework, not for sale to any party. He referred directly to Law Number 1 of 2014, which is an amendment to Law Number 27 of 2007 concerning Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands. According to him, this law explicitly prohibits island sale and purchase transactions. The government, through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), will increase supervision of small islands by utilizing satellite technology to ensure that there are no violations in the field.
Trenggono also explained that the KKP is currently accelerating the installation of a satellite-based digital surveillance system. This technology is expected to be able to monitor activities in real time throughout the Indonesian small island clusters, including in distinguishing areas that may be used for tourism activities and which are conservation areas that may not be disturbed. He added that this supervision is not only a form of protection for state assets, but also a form of protection for marine ecosystems that are irreplaceable wealth for future generations.
In line with this, Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi emphasized that islands in Indonesia cannot be traded to foreign parties in any form, except in the form of building use rights (HGB) or business use rights (HGU) which are limited leases and are under the control of national law. Dede expressed his objection to the use of the term “selling islands” in international digital advertisements because it is contrary to the principles of Indonesian land law. He requested that the relevant ministries immediately investigate the parties advertising the four islands and ensure that there are no legal loopholes exploited to control the country’s strategic areas.
In the findings, the four islands marketed through the overseas site Private Islands Online are Rintan Island, Mala Island, Tokong Sendok Island, and Nakob Island. All four are located in the Anambas Islands Regency, part of which is included in the marine conservation area. The Head of the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance Base (PSDKP) of the Batam Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Semuel Sandi Rundupadang, stated that the four islands belong to the state and cannot be owned by any party. He said there is no legal basis that allows the sale and purchase of these islands, especially for foreign ownership.
Furthermore, the government is also paying attention to a similar case that occurred on Panjang Island, Alas District, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The island also appeared on the sales list on the same international site. The NTB Provincial Government, through the Head of the Communication, Informatics, and Statistics Service Yusron Hadi, emphasized that the sale of Panjang Island was an illegal act. He stated that the island is a protected conservation area and cannot be owned by either individuals or corporations.
The NTB regional government even involved the Forestry Service and the Marine and Fisheries Service to follow up on this case with direct inspections in the field. In the initial inspection by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), it was confirmed that there were no registered ownership rights to Panjang Island. Minister of ATR/BPN Nusron Wahid explained that the island is part of a forest and conservation area, so it cannot be bought or sold.
Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives Johan Rosihan also highlighted this issue as a serious threat to state sovereignty. He stated that the practice of selling islands online is not only a violation of the law, but can also be a loophole for digital exploitation of state assets. Johan encouraged the central government to conduct a thorough verification of the information circulating, as well as to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and digital authorities to remove sales advertisements circulating on international sites.
