Three Sea Fences, Tangerang Phenomenon

The phenomenon of the emergence of a sea fence in Tangerang has caused a stir among Indonesians. After the discovery of the sea fence in Tangerang, another sea fence made of bamboo was also found in Bekasi waters and across from Pulau C reclamation, North Jakarta was also revealed. Moreover, the sea fence in Bekasi waters is said to be part of the giant sea wall project.

The sea fence in Bekasi has a length of 2 kilometers (km) with an area width of 70 meters has been sealed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) on Wednesday, January 15. The sealing was carried out because it did not have a permit for the Compliance of Spatial Utilization Activities (KKPRL). Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto opened his voice regarding the fence in the Bekasi Sea area, West Java. He emphasized that the sea fence in Bekasi was not part of the giant sea wall project.

Airlangga said that the giant sea wall had not yet been built. Currently, he said, the government is still preparing a giant sea wall concept. Later, the concept will also be reported first to President Prabowo Subianto. Our giant sea wall is currently preparing the concept, of course, the President will report it," he said.

Airlangga also revealed that the project will use a partnership scheme between the government and private companies. Airlangga's statement was approved by the Head of the Muara Ciasem Fisheries Port UPTD at the West Java Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service, Ahman Kurniawan. Ahmad explained the existence of thousands of bamboo sticks on the two sides of the Paljaya Village waters in the context of building the port channel and has been socialized by the West Java Provincial Government to fishing groups.

"It has also been socialized to fishermen. If I'm not mistaken, according to records there were 200 fishermen who were present during the first socialization on October 30, 2024 yesterday," he told VOI.

Ahmad added that the socialization was held after the signing of a cooperation agreement between the West Java Provincial Government and PT Tunas Ruang Pelabuhan Nusantara (TRPN) in June 2023. Discussions on socialization related to the restructuring of the construction of a five-kilometer port channel, a depth of 5 meters, and a width of 70 meters.

Regarding the sea fence in the waters of Pulau C, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Food, Maritime and Agriculture Security Service (DKPKP) Suharini Eliawati admitted that her party had coordinated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Agriculture (KKP).

"Regarding the Bamboo Fence on Pulau C, we have coordinated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries regarding whether they already have valid permits or not. This is because currently licensing for the use of marine space is still under the authority of the central government," said Suharini to VOI, some time ago.

Suharini emphasized that the sea fence on Island C, which has spread 500 meters, will no longer be extended. "With findings like this, it didn't happen, so it was immediately stopped. There was no more work," said Suharini.

The response of state officials and officials in two areas related to the findings of sea fences in their respective areas is different from the findings of the sea fence in the Tangerang border. The sea fence in Tangerang until Sunday, January 19, is not yet known who owns or who funds the installation of bamboo with a length of 30 km.

Polemic Of Authority Due To Lack Of Coordination

Director of Marine Spatial Planning of the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Suharyanto, said that the sea fence in Tangerang had now been sealed. The sealing was carried out on January 9. We have sealed it right and we are currently waiting for time to crackdowns," he said. He added that the sealing was carried out because the fence did not have permits and harmed the fishermen. Furthermore, the KKP will carry out surveillance.

The Director of Supervision and Marine Resources of the KKP, Halid Yusuf, emphasized that his party is currently still investigating who the financier and person in charge of installing the sea fence. He also emphasized that he would take firm action when he found the perpetrators of the sea fence installation. "Of course we will take a firm stance against the perpetrators," he said when met in Kronjo District, Tangerang Regency.

In the midst of the public's confusion about who owns the mysterious 30.16 km sea fence in the northern sea of Tangerang Regency, the Navy finally acted quickly by dismantling the existence of the sea fence. The decision to dismantle the building in the form of a bamboo milestone whose owner was unknown was carried out on Saturday (18/1). The demolition was carried out by the Commander of the Indonesian Navy Main Base (Lantamal) Ill Jakarta, Brigadier General (Mar) Harry Indarto.

"The President's direct order through the Chief of Naval Staff is the main thing," Brigadier General (Mar) Harry Indarto told reporters in Tangerang, Saturday, January 18.

According to VOI's monitoring, the demolition of the sea fence was carried out by 600 Indonesian Navy soldiers along with a group of fishermen. Harry stated that the demolition departed from fishermen's complaints about sea fencing which interfered with their access while looking for catches. Harry said that currently only 2 KM from the sea fence could be uncovered.

Harry explained that the 600 soldiers who came down were a combination of three groups in the Indonesian Navy, Kopaska, Marines and the Underwater Rescue Service (Dislambair). "We need to know how deep the bamboo stock is embedded and how long it has been," he told reporters.

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto said the deployment of TNI-AL soldiers would immediately level the sea fence which until now did not explain who was behind the construction. People who want to look for fish, have no access. So that it is opened (dismantled) so that people can still search for fish at sea," said General Agus to the media via a short message to VOI.

Responding to this, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) emphasized that investigations related to the construction of a 30-kilometer sea fence in Teluknaga, Tangerang Regency, Banten, would continue even though the fence had been dismantled.

"The investigation is still ongoing, including the summons of parties suspected of being involved," said Special Staff to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Doni Ismanto, on Saturday, January 18, as reported by ANTARA.

Doni emphasized that the KKP is working with law enforcement officials to ensure transparency and accountability in resolving this case. He also reminded that sea space management must be carried out in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

The sea fence that had been sealed by the KKP previously became evidence in the process of being investigated. The demolition of the sea fence without coordination with the KKP is considered to hinder the ongoing legal process.

"We hope that coordination between agencies can be strengthened so that every step taken supports the common interest and is in accordance with the rule of law," said Doni.

No Opinion Cross

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized that he had no disagreement between himself and the ranks of the Indonesian Navy regarding the demolition of the illegal maritime fence in Tangerang, Banten. He ensured that coordination between the two parties went well. Trenggono said that his party would hold a coordination meeting with the ranks of the Indonesian Navy on Wednesday (22/1) morning.

"What is certain is that there is no disagreement, we agree," said Trenggono at the Jakarta Presidential Palace Complex, Monday, January 20, as reported by ANTARA.

"So it was finally agreed, so it was not a disagreement. So I conveyed to the KSAL that I had to have evidence first, sir (before the sea fence was dismantled). Be patient, yes, we will give the deadline until Wednesday, okay? agree. So together on Wednesday, "said Trenggono.

Trenggono revealed that the problem related to the sea fence had been reported to President Prabowo Subianto, and the Head of State gave directions so that the case was thoroughly investigated.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, responded to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, who regretted the demolition of the mysterious maritime fence in Tangerang by the Navy (AL). Dasco advised the Minister of the KKP to coordinate with related institutions regarding the issue of this sea fence. Therefore, according to him, this demolition issue does not need to be a polemic.

"Our message to the Ministry of KKP is to coordinate with related institutions," said Sufmi, Monday, January 20.

"I have asked the minister of the KKP, the minister of the KKP, to say that the dismantling of the sea fence will be carried out by the KKP. The Minister of KKP has stated that within 20 days and then some have been handed over for evidence so I think the polemics in the field can be completed with their respective duties and functions," said Dasco.