Ombudsman Urges KKP To Unload Tangerang Sea Pagar

The Ombudsman monitors a 30.16 km long sea fence on the coast of Tangerang Regency, Banten, Wednesday (15/1/2025). BETWEEN THE INDONESIAN ANTARA/HO-Ombudsman

The Ombudsman urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to immediately dismantle a 30.16 km sea fence on the coast of Tangerang Regency, because it is illegal and detrimental to thousands of local fishermen.

"From the information from the KKP, it is clear that this (sea fence) is not licensed. So it has been sealed. The Ombudsman urged the KKP to immediately demolish the fence, because it is detrimental to fishermen," said Ombudsman member Yeka Hendra Fatika as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 15.

This was said by Yeka after conducting an inspection at the sea fencing location in Kronjo District, Tangerang Regency.

During this inspection, the Ombudsman also invited related parties such as the KKP, the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and the Banten Provincial Government to ask for information directly.

The Ombudsman highlighted the problem of public services, namely that fishermen's access to make a living at sea has become disrupted. Yeka estimates the loss of fishermen over the past 5 months has reached at least Rp9 billion.

For this reason, the Ombudsman will monitor the follow-up to the KKP regarding the acceleration of the demolition of the sea fence in the Banten area.

"Because this sea fence has been going on for a long time since August 2024, there should be no need to wait 20 days for the demolition. However, it is necessary to prepare resources to carry out this demolition," he said.

Yeka revealed that the Banten Ombudsman is conducting an investigation into his own initiative regarding this sea fence. It is possible that the Ombudsman will also call related parties to complete the results of the investigation.

Regarding the accusation of sea fencing as part of the National Strategic Project (PSN), Yeka said that based on information from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, this was not true.

The Ombudsman has also asked for information from the Ministry of Environment and obtained information that there has been no analysis regarding the Environmental Impact (Amdal) regarding the use of this sea space.

In addition, the Ministry of ATR/BPN also said that the location of sea fencing does not yet have any rights documents so that it is still under state control.

"If it is illegal, there will automatically be criminal potential. So that in this case the role of law enforcement officers is needed. The Ombudsman is more concerned with the issue of public services being disrupted," said Yeka.

He hopes that in 1-2 weeks the problem of the sea fence in the Banten area can be resolved and fishermen can carry out their activities as usual.

The Head of the Banten Ombudsman Representative, Fadli Afriadi, reminded the impact of the loss due to the construction of the sea fence, especially for fishermen, farmers, and the surrounding community who live around the coast.

"Strict and measurable actions from ministries and agencies authorized to clean up illegal sea fences must be taken immediately. In addition to preventing more public losses, it is also necessary to restore public trust that the state is here to protect and serve its people," said Fadli.