Minister Trenggono Confesses That The Island Of The Republic Of Indonesia Is Sold In New York, USA

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono revealed that there is a practice of buying and selling the island of Indonesia to other countries.

In fact, he said, the practice of buying and selling is not allowed.

Trenggono said that at first many Indonesian rich people chose to vacation in the Maldives.

Supposedly, he said, the islands in Indonesia should be no less beautiful than the Maldives.

"Almost (all) Indonesian rich people always vacation to Maldives. The whole world goes to Maldives. The island is no better than Indonesia's thousands," Trenggono said in his remarks on the Talkshow Media agenda regarding the Support for Tambak Pantura Revitalization Program Plan at his office, Wednesday, June 25.

Even so, Trenggono admitted, there are thousands of islands in Indonesia that have not been well utilized. In fact, he said, recently it was found that islands were sold and offered to other countries, such as New York, United States (US).

The practice of selling the islands has drawn public criticism.

"In fact, recently sold in New York, offered in New York, so it's a scene. This is one of the things we have to take care of," he said.

According to Trenggono, islands in Indonesia may be used as long as they do not violate the applicable laws and regulations. Even so, he emphasized that the practice of buying and selling islands is prohibited in Indonesia.

"Small islands cannot be traded. It is permissible to use them, buying and selling is not allowed," he said.

For this reason, Trenggono continued, the government needs to protect the existing islands, through one of the five KKP policies, namely supervision and control of coastal areas and small islands in Indonesia.

Trenggono said that in the near future his party will monitor via satellite, so that the government can monitor which islands can be utilized or cannot be used for tourism or other purposes.

"Hopefully, soon we can install digital surveillance via satellite, so we can monitor which islands can be used for tourism and which islands are not allowed," explained Trenggono.