Sea Pagar Case: The State Must Show The Law As Commander, Not The Interest Of Entrepreneurs

Legal observer, Hardjuno Wiwoho. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - The case of installing sea fences in Tangerang and Bekasi is currently considered not clear enough where to go. Therefore, observer of Law and Development, Hardjuno Wiwoho, emphasized the need for concrete steps from law enforcement agencies to resolve this issue. According to him, the state must show that it is the law that leads, not the interests of entrepreneurs and bureaucracy that play behind the scenes.

"There needs to be immediately a leading law enforcement agency that confirms the legal process for this case. Whether it's the Attorney General's Office or the Police, the public needs to immediately receive clear law enforcement signals and not circulate around administrative matters such as those involving the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR) and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP)," said Hardjuno in his written statement, in Jakarta, Monday, February 3.

He gave an example of the cancellation of certificates by the Ministry of ATR led by Nusron Wahid, which according to him is only a matter of detail that should be under the main law enforcement priorities. In the case of the sea fence, the state must show its power firmly.

Hardjuno emphasized that the problem of the sea fence must be immediately responded to within the framework of law enforcement and not only busy discussing administrative matters. That in law enforcement there are administrative problems that are appropriate, but the public needs to immediately understand that the state will really take care of its criminal aspects.

"The most important thing for the public in this matter of the sea fence is that the President has clearly ordered a thorough investigation, and that there are clear criminal violations there. So it is law enforcement officers who must be the leading organization that leads the settlement of this marine fence case," he said.

In addition, Hardjuno also highlighted the role of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) which seemed not firm in his approach to protect the interests of the people in this case of the sea fence. According to him, the KKP should be more in favor of the fishermen and the affected coastal communities.

"Their rations are that conglomerates and black bureaucrats are enough. They have taken too much. Now is the time for investment that is truly law-abiding to be protected by law and as much as possible for the prosperity of the people or sustainable economic growth," he explained.

Hardjuno also emphasized that in the era of Prabowo Subianto's leadership, clear law enforcement was needed to provide certainty to the public and investors. The country is currently facing financial difficulties, so economic growth requires healthy investment, not just state spending and household consumption.

"Investors, both from within and outside the country, need to see that Indonesia is a country with legal certainty. They must not be afraid to invest in law-abiding investment. On the other hand, for black investors who often outsmart the law, this is the right time to signal that their era is over," he continued.

With firm steps in the case of the sea fence, the government can show that the law remains commander-in-chief and is not subject to the interests of a handful of groups seeking to illegally control resources.