Member Of Commission V DPR Asks Government To Intervene In The Problem Of Isolated Enggano Island

ILLUSTRATION / Fuel tank vehicle outside KMP Pulo Telo after the ship docked at the Port of Malakoni Village on Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu (ANTARA/HO/20)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission V DPR Irine Yusiana Roba Putri asked the central government to take concrete steps to deal with the problem of Enggano Island which has been isolated since March 2025 due to the shallow flow of the Baai Island Port, Bengkulu.

"We ask the Government to immediately make improvements to this condition. Because the residents of Enggano Island need access and protection so the state must be present," said Irine Yusiana Roba Putri, Monday, June 23.

Irine said the conditions that affected more than 4 thousand people of Enggano Island showed the weak guarantee of connectivity and service in the archipelago, even though Indonesia is a maritime country that has many islands.

Therefore, he asked the government to intervene in the problems that occurred on Enggano Island.

"The distribution of goods is cut off, agricultural products cannot be marketed, access to health services is hampered, and local economic activity is paralyzed. This situation is not just a logistical disruption, but reflects systemic vulnerability in the management of archipelagic transportation areas," he said.

Irine explained that in the context of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government and Law Number 17 of 2008 concerning Shipping, the state is obliged to ensure inter-regional connectivity as part of basic services.

"So we expect the central government to intervene and intervene to ensure that every Indonesian citizen has the right to basic rights and protection from the State," continued Irine.

As a short-term solution, the member of the commission in charge of infrastructure and transportation affairs asked the Government to periodically ship logistics and passengers.

"The Ministry of Transportation is to ensure that shipping services can continue to reach Enggano Island. Adjust it to the conditions there," said Irine.

He also asked the Ministry of Social Affairs and related institutions to ensure the availability of food and basic health services. In addition, according to Irine, the flexibility of using the Village Fund and BUMDes can be used to rent alternative ships during the emergency period.

"Strengthening the transportation infrastructure planning and mitigation system, especially for isolated areas such as small islands, must also be a record for the Government. This is a medium-term and long-term solution," he explained.

Irine also confirmed that Commission V of the DPR would ask for clarification from the Ministry of Transportation and other relevant technical ministries regarding the isolation of Enggano Island.

"Commission V of the DPR also encourages the acceleration of a comprehensive evaluation of the governance of connectivity in the archipelagic region," he concluded.

The port of Baai Island, Bengkulu City has been on the ground since the last eight months which has resulted in sea service ships unable to dock at the dock. Even passengers had to be lowered in the middle of the sea.

As a result of this silting, 4,000 residents of Enggano Island have been isolated since the last few months.

The people of Enggano were forced to face difficult realities, food ingredients were running low, produce could not be sold, and access to health was almost cut off.

This condition also has an impact on the local community's economy. The rotten harvest was not sold. Hundreds of farmers even chose not to harvest their garden products because of the absence of distribution channels and falling selling prices.