The government has taken firm actions against the controversial 30-kilometer sea fence off Tangerang waters, Banten province, sealing it before eventually dismantling the makeshift structure upon the orders of President Prabowo Subianto following heightened controversy in public.
The measures were taken after the 30.16-kilometer fence was declared not to have a permit known as Suitability of Marine Space Utilization Activities (PKKPRL), in accordance with the Job Creation Law.
The installation of this sea fence had been visible since 2023. Based on satellite imagery analysis conducted by Greenpeace Indonesia, the fence was identified in December 2023 in Kohot Village, Tangerang Regency.
Previously, fishermen in Jenggot Village, Mekar Baru, complained that they could not go fishing as their village was blocked by the fence in the waters of Muncung Village since May 2023. At that time, the fence was only 400 meters in length.
Sources at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries revealed that many parties, including village officials, were involved in this sea fencing. This information was reinforced by the statement of Gofur, Head of the Neighborhood Association in Kronjo Village, who said that local village officials had provided notification regarding the transportation of bamboo for the fence.
The Banten Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency only responded after the Indonesian Fishermen’s Association (HNSI) of the Mauk District Branch reported this case on August 14, 2024. Agency officers found out that the fence did not have a PKKPRL Permit as required by the Job Creation Law, which stipulates that every activity utilizing marine space must have secured a permit from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
This sea fence overlaps with the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) Tropical Coastland development area, a National Strategic Project (PSN) established by then Joko Widodo administration in March 2024. This project is an expansion of PIK 2, which was developed by the Agung Sedayu Group, owned by tycoon Sugianto Kusuma alias Aguan.
Agung Sedayu Group’s attorney, Muannas Alaidid, denied his company’s involvement in the construction of the sea fence.
“The sea fence was located outside the Pantai Indah Kapuk area and the PSN,” Muanas said on January 12, 2025, but did not elaborate.
Dismantling of sea fence
Officers of the Indonesian Navy, together with local fishermen, on January 18, 2025 began dismantling the fence that had blocked people’s sea access. The Indonesian Navy claimed that the action was based on direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto.
Two days later, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, together with a number of high-ranking Navy officers, held a meeting with Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono discussing the existence of the Sea Fence.
At the meeting, the Indonesian Navy and KKP agreed to resolve the problem of the sea fence that disrupts the activities of local fishermen to earn a living. The meeting also discussed measures to provide safe, good, rapid and practical ways to help fishermen in difficulty.
