KKP Suspends Construction of a Resort Owned by Foreigners on Maratua Island

FOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has temporarily stopped the construction of the PT Storm Diving Resort (SDR) resort owned by foreign citizens (WNA) from China on Maratua Island, Berau, East Kalimantan (Kaltim).

Director General of PSDKP KKP, Pung Nugroho Saksono said, this was because PT SDR violated the rules for establishing businesses on the water or utilizing coastal areas without having a document of Approval of the Conformity of Activities for the Utilization of Sea Space (PKKPRL).

"The PKKPRL document is mandatory for every business that uses the sea space," he said on Maratua Island, Friday, April 10, reported by ANTARA.

He said Maratua Island is a small island with an area of approximately 43,043 square kilometers.

"The resort is an investment of foreign capital (PMA) from China, but it is not equipped with PKKPRL documents," he said.

He said that until now, there are 16 resorts in Maratuadan and all of them have met the licensing requirements, except for PT SDR.

The Director General explained that the violations committed by this resort were illegal acts that would be subject to strict sanctions.

"We enforce the law on small and remote islands such as Maratua as a manifestation of the state's presence. We will not tolerate this kind of violation. Our red and white flags are raised to confirm that these islands are legitimate parts of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia," he said.

According to him, this law enforcement effort is also supported by the community through local environmental monitoring groups.

"We came directly from Jakarta to show that the state is here. Thank you to the community watchdog group for the information provided regarding this violation," he said.

The Director General of PSDKP urged PT SDR to immediately complete all the necessary permits. If not, PSDKP will not hesitate to take steps to demolish the illegally built facilities.

"This is not just a warning, but a complete cessation. This means that all business activities at the location must stop completely. Things like this have often been handled by us, the entrepreneur should know that building a business requires a series of licensing processes," he said.

PT SDR Toni's manager, stated that his party had been carrying out activities at the resort since last year.

After the installation of the temporary stop announcement board, the officers then installed a wooden pole for the announcement board and raised the red and white flag at the location.