West Bangka regency has been developing Batu Rakit Beach in Muntok district since 2021 with an investment from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) worth IDR14.14 billion.
The regency is part of the Bangka Belitung province with a land area of 2,884.15 square kilometers (sqm) and a population of 204,612. The regency’s capital is situated in Muntok district. The majority of citizens in West Bangka are Muslims, or around 92.23% of the population.
The BKPM is a government agency in charge of implementing policy and service coordination in the investment sector in accordance with the regulations. The agency was founded in 1973 and has been led by Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia since 2021.
Eco-tourism in West Bangka
Batu Rakit Beach tourism was established in 2021 with an investment from BKPM worth IDR14.14 billion, an interest rate of return (IRR) of 14.7%, net present value (NPV) of IDR443.12 million and a payback period of 5.37 years.
The tourism site is located on the coastline with a view of a lighthouse and ships passing by the Palembang-Bangka route. The sea is considered calm and the beautiful coastline plants give tourists a comfortable welcome. The place will also be full of restaurants offering tempting foods.
Currently, there are several facilities available on the beach such as gazebos, children’s playgrounds, a beach volleyball field, a futsal field, a gasing (spinning top) field, public toilets, pendopo (open verandah), bungalows, amphitheater and also other public facilities. Meanwhile, the place already has many small shops and stores selling soft drinks, mackerel otak-otak (grilled fishcake), fish skin pempek (savory fishcake) as well as seafood and coconuts.
The beach resort is located 6 kilometers from Muntok, and is close to Tanjung Kalian Beach and Asmara Beach. At the same time, Batu Rakit Beach is also adjacent to Tanjung Kalian state-owned ferry operator ASDP.
Challenges for Batu Rakit Beach
The beach is considered to have low security than other tourist places. Recently on June 18, 2022, a body was found on Batu Rakit Beach and the police suspected that the body was a homicide victim. The police already named three people as suspects of murder. The body was identified as a 17-year-old boy who lived in Muntok district.
