The outgoing president has lifted a ban that had been in place for more than 20 years and was introduced to protect the ecosystem and the land. In justifying the decision, he speaks of a “correction” of the previous rule: it would not be sand but “ocean sediments”. Former Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti expresses her “deep concern”.
Jakarta () – Environmentalists and large sections of Indonesian civil society have welcomed with shock and disapproval the decision of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, whose term expires on 20 October, to lift the ban on the export of ocean sand, used primarily in the construction industry. A ban introduced more than 20 years ago and necessary for environmental and security reasons, to protect national heritage. Despite this, the Head of State decreed its lifting on 9 September, depriving the archipelago of one of the key regulatory resources to protect its maritime resources and safeguard its ecosystem.
The ban on exporting ocean sand was introduced in 2003 under President Megawati Sukarnoputri. This decision was based primarily on environmental and ecological concerns, although at the time Jakarta was a major player in the market for material destined for Singapore. Among the concerns was the fact that without this natural protection, the coast would be more prone to flooding and inundation, especially the smaller islands of the archipelago.
In 2010, during a confidential interview with , a major sand exporter identified by the initials J. declared himself “deeply saddened” by the damage caused to the environment and the ocean “by sand deposits used for export.” A trade which, in exchange for the revenue, was having a significant impact on ecology and sustainable development.
The decision to lift the ban was taken by President Widodo following a draft revision prepared by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, who made a “correction” related to terminology. In fact, it was not ocean sand, but “oceanic sediment”. The measure was taken by the outgoing president after he issued a new regulation in May 2023 authorizing mining companies to explore for ocean sand and export it, with the only condition and requirement that national needs were “already covered”. The new regulation approved by the Head of State will come into force 30 days after its publication.
In response, a broad section of society and environmental movements have launched a protest that has been broadcast on social media. Former Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti is one of the most well-known figures in Indonesia in this campaign against the lifting of the ban and has repeatedly expressed her “deep concern” about the issue in recent days. Pudjiastuti argues that this new regulation will only endanger the maritime environment: “If they want to export sand or ocean sediments, it is better – she warns in a note posted on X, the former Twitter account, on September 19 – to leverage the seabed in the coastal region of northern Java, so that they are not affected by the tides due to excessive abrasion).”
The former Fisheries Minister’s strong and decisive message won the support of most environmentalists, who argued that the export of sand or silt to Singapore will soon create environmental and safety problems as follows, for three reasons in particular: Indonesian fishermen will face technical challenges and difficulties in fishing as fish habitat has already been destroyed; environmental problems will arise as coral reefs may be severely damaged; and there will be safety problems as Singapore’s hinterland will be further “extended” to the south, with the Indonesian counterpart shrinking.
In a report, Greenpeace Indonesia claims that the new regulations will lead the country to commit “ecological sins” attributable to the outgoing administration, and the first victims will be local fishermen. Most green and anti-Jokowi politicians claim that the recent decision will only encourage uncontrolled exploitation of the country’s maritime heritage and cause negative social impacts, despite Jokowi’s recent claims that what is being exported is not marine sand, but its sedimentation.
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