President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has announced the reopening of Indonesia’s sea sand export starting from May 15, 2023, despite heavy criticism. The policy aims to control sea sedimentation. However, it is emphasized that domestic needs, such as infrastructure development and land reclamation, must be prioritized.
Criticism of sea sand export
The export of sea sand was previously halted during the era of President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The decision was made to prevent extensive environmental damage and to establish a coordinated business system before resuming exports.
Many parties have criticized President Jokowi’s decision. They argue that the sea sand export policy is driven purely by business interests, making it an exploitative activity. The economic benefits generated from this activity are also short-term in nature.
Furthermore, there are negative environmental impacts to consider, such as disrupting sea ecosystems and fish farming. Additionally, it can lead to coastal erosion, potentially damaging the homes and facilities of residents. The dredging of sea sand for export purposes can also cause small islands to sink and contribute to the adverse effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen Association (KNTI) has urged the government to repeal the regulation on Presidential Regulation (PP) No. 26/2023 regarding the Management of Sedimentation in the Sea, as it is detrimental to fishermen and damages coastal and sea ecosystems.
Dani Setiawan, the Chairman of KNTI, stated that the regulation on the opening of exports serves as a facade for commercializing the sea, while hiding its true orientation.
“In reality, this regulation hides the primary orientation of commercializing the sea under the guise of preserving sea and coastal environments through the management of sedimentation,” said Setiawan.
He added that while the trade of sea sand may seem lucrative, it also costs the country millions of dollars due to uncontrolled mining and the resulting damage to sea and coastal environments. This activity threatens the livelihoods of fishermen and benefits other countries.
KNTI is also disappointed because the export regulations do not address the concerns of fishermen and fish farmers, who are directly impacted by the export of sea sand.
Government’s response
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, clarified that PP No. 26/2023 regarding the Management of Sea Sediment is not a legalization of sea mining.
Trenggono stated that the policy is aimed at revitalizing the sea by managing sediments, particularly sand. He emphasized that only sand without valuable mineral content can be extracted from the sea, and this will be determined by a study team comprising various stakeholders.
“It is said that there is no less than 23 billion cubic meters of sand sedimentation in the sea. The specific amount that can be extracted and other related details will be regulated through technical rules,” said Trenggono at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on May 31, 2023.
Therefore, Trenggono has mandated that future reclamation projects must use sand extracted from the sea. However, he did not provide further details regarding the national sand requirements for domestic reclamation projects.
Stakeholders involved in the Study Team include the Hydro-Oceanography Center of the Indonesian Navy, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Ministry of Transportation.
Trenggono added that the Study Team will also involve Non-Governmental Organizations such as the Environmental Forum and Greenpeace. The team will determine the quantity and locations for sand extraction from the sea.
The formation of the Study Team will be carried out in parallel with the drafting of Ministerial Regulations derived from PP No. 26/2023. In addition, Trenggono said that the Study Team would also determine the location of the use of the sea sand that may be dredged and emphasized that the sea sand resulting from the sedimentation in question could only be taken from the middle of the sea.
Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif explained that sea sand that may be taken and exported is that which is formed from sedimentation. Therefore, the collection of sea sand will be closely monitored by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
He also mentioned that dredging sea sand sediments is also beneficial for the shipping industry and expediting sea logistics, especially those that pass through shallow straits. This is because dredging of sediments will deepen shipping lanes thereby reducing shipping risks and reducing shipping costs.
“Dredging is being carried out in straits that are close to massive shipping crossings, such as near the Malacca Strait, namely between Batam and Singapore,” said Tasrif, on May 31, 2023.
Tasrif also believed that sea sand from sedimentation has demand in the export market. Sea sand is considered more economical if it is marketed in the global market rather than the domestic market.
“Sediment of sea sand is better to be sent to foreign markets than to be placed in our country. Singapore definitely needs sea sand,” he said.
