3 Islands Under Contention, Ministry Of Home Affairs Ready To Follow Up On Halteng-Raja Ampat Dispute
TERNATE - The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is investigating the dispute over three islands in Central Halmahera Regency (Halteng), North Maluku: Sain, Piyai, and Kiyas Islands, which are currently claimed as part of Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province.
"Frankly, I haven't received any updates or reports regarding the conflict over these three islands. But we will investigate further," said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri), Bima Arya Sugiarto, after attending a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Planning and Budgeting for the 2025 and 2026 Revised Regional Budgets in Ternate, Thursday, September 25, as quoted by ANTARA.
He stated that his office has not yet received an official report regarding the issue. However, he assured that the Ministry of Home Affairs will immediately follow up.
This dispute has sparked tension in the community. Residents of Umiyal Village, Pulau Gebe District, Central Halmahera, burned five houses on Sain Island on Saturday (September 20, 2025). The houses are known to be facilities built by the Raja Ampat Regency Government.
In response, North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda emphasized that her administration would immediately bring this issue to the national level. She plans to hold an audience with the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, and establish communication with the Southwest Papua Provincial Government.
"I will communicate with the Governor of Southwest Papua, including the Regent of Raja Ampat and the Regent of Central Halmahera," Sherly said in Ternate.
According to her, this step is crucial to reducing escalation in the community. She hopes residents of both regions will exercise restraint to prevent this issue from escalating.
"We don't want this unrest to escalate, so we ask people on both sides to remain calm," Sherly emphasized.
Sain, Piyai, and Kiyas Islands are located in the border area between North Maluku and Southwest Papua Provinces. This boundary dispute is a serious concern, given the potential for social conflict.