Boat Carrying Bakau Charcoal Without Documents Intercepted by the Indonesian Navy in Meranti Islands

Lanal Dumai and Koarmada I when securing 200 tons of mangrove charcoal evidence in the Meranti Waters. ANTARA/HO-Lanal Dumai

DUMAI - The Indonesian Navy through the Dumai Navy Base together with the Maritime Intelligence Task Force of the I Fleet Command seized the transport of about 200 tons of mangrove charcoal without official documents in the waters of the Meranti Islands, Riau Province.

The commander of the Dumai Navy Base, Abdul Harris, said the mangrove charcoal was transported using the KLM Samudera Indah Jaya GT 172.

According to him, the transportation of mangrove charcoal is suspected of violating the provisions of the Law on the Protection and Management of the Environment because it does not have a Legal Certificate of Forest Products (SKSHH) or a permit from the Ministry of Environment.

"The prosecution of this forest crime is a real commitment of the Indonesian Navy in maintaining environmental sustainability as well as enforcing the law in the waters of national jurisdiction," said Abdul Harris at a press conference in Dumai, Antara, Wednesday, March 11.

He explained that the disclosure of the case began with information received by Team I of the Intelmar Operation Task Force of Koarmada I together with personnel from the Tanjung Buton Babinpotmar Security Post or Siak Post.

The team then moved to the waters of the Selat Panjang in the Meranti Islands using a patrol boat to conduct an investigation.

From the results of the monitoring, the KLM Samudera Indah Jaya ship was seen leaning around the Nyirih River Waters, Meranti Islands, on Thursday (5/3) at around 10.44 WIB.

Around 17.20 WIB, the ship was observed to begin leaving the mooring location. The joint team then pursued and stopped the ship to check the documents and cargo carried.

For further examination, the ship carrying mangrove charcoal without a permit was then escorted to the TNI AL pier in Bangsal Aceh Village, Dumai City.

Abdul Harris added that the action was a follow-up to the direct order of the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Muhammad Ali, for all ranks to increase vigilance and not tolerate any violations of the law in the maritime area.

He emphasized that the illegal transportation of mangrove charcoal not only harms the country economically, but also threatens coastal ecosystems, especially mangrove areas which have an important role in maintaining coastal protection and marine biota habitats.

In line with the direction, the Commander of the I Fleet Command, Deny Septiana, also emphasized that the task of the Indonesian Navy is not only to maintain maritime sovereignty, but also to secure state assets and maintain economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

This commitment is realized through increased maritime security operations to anticipate various violations of law in national waters, ranging from piracy, smuggling to territorial violations.