Jakarta, MINA – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), has uncovered an alleged attempt to sell Umang Island (in Banten Province), which was offered online for around IDR 8.5 billion.
The tourist island, located approximately 183 kilometers from Jakarta, has now been confirmed as not being sold after receiving serious government attention.
This case surfaced after an advertisement for the island was posted online, which then went viral on social media. The KKP, through the Directorate General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision (PSDKP), immediately conducted a field inspection and followed up on the information to determine the legal status and utilization of the island’s territory.
The KKP’s investigation revealed that Umang Island cannot be traded like other property objects. The government emphasized that small islands in Indonesia are under state control, and therefore their utilization can only be carried out through business and investment permits in accordance with statutory regulations, not through free sale and purchase.
Furthermore, the KKP also discovered business activities in the area that did not fully comply with marine space utilization permit requirements.
This situation is a concern because every economic activity in coastal areas and small islands must comply with the Marine Spatial Utilization Plan (KKPRL) and take environmental and conservation aspects into account.
In recent years, the government has tightened its oversight of online island trading. This follows the emergence of a number of similar cases in various regions of Indonesia, which often lead to public misunderstanding regarding island ownership, even though legally, islands cannot be fully owned by individuals.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) emphasized that it will continue to enhance satellite-based monitoring and maritime patrols to prevent similar practices from recurring. This step also ensures that Indonesia’s coastal sovereignty is maintained and that island use is carried out sustainably and in accordance with national interests. []
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