Threatening Ecosystems, Commission IV Of The House Of Representatives Urges KKP To Revoke PKKPRL Permits On Pari Island

Illustration of the DPR Building of the MPR Senayan Jakarta. (Between)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives Alex Indra Lukman, urged the government to revoke the approval permit for the Compliance of Marine Spatial Utilization Activities (PKKPRL) for the private sector, which is considered to threaten the Pari Island ecosystem.

Alex reminded that the reclamation projects carried out on islands with tourism potential will have greater harm than benefits.

"In every reclamation project, the real impact is damage to the marine water ecosystem. Repairing it takes a long time and a big cost," Alex told reporters, Friday, October 10.

According to Alex, this permit paved the way for corporations to expand projects that could potentially damage the balance of the small island ecosystem. Moreover, Pari Island is one of the 'small' cultures that are the most popular tourist destinations in the Thousand Islands.

From the reports he received, the granting of PKKPRL permits has made Pari Island and its citizens bear the burden of multiplied and threatening the existence of this island. Therefore, Alex asked the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and his staff to review one of the missions of Asta Cita Presiden Prabowo Subianto, namely inclusive economic growth, equitable development, and preserving nature and culture.

"Investment is needed, but must also maintain the authenticity of Indonesia's nature," said Alex.

"As the charismatic clerics call the land of Minang, Buya Hamka, it is like a piece of heaven on earth," continued the legislator from the West Sumatra I electoral district.

Alex emphasized that maintaining Indonesia's natural authenticity is very important considering the data released by the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) as of December 2024, this country has 17,380 islands. This number includes islands that already have geographical names and coordinates.

"Don't let this PKKPRL permit, Indonesia, known as the equator's charm, become just a sweetener, because the natural ecosystem has been destroyed," said Alex.

Instead of reclamation of islands for tourism purposes, Alex also imitated, it is better for the government and the private sector to boost existing tourism. He gave an example, such as Borobudur Temple and Komodo Island, which need serious attention.

"Today, tourism is of special interest, the government has not worked on it seriously, such as Borobudur Temple, Raja Ampat, Komodo Island, Mentawai and many others," he concluded.