JAKARTA – Chairman of the Riau Islands Marine Sand Entrepreneurs Association, Herry Tousa, said that his party was very grateful for the issuance of PP No. 26 of 2023. However, he emphasized that studies and input from various groups were still needed before sea sand mining activities began, especially in the Riau Archipelago.
“Looking at Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023, every government policy that has a positive impact on society must be supported. Regarding the crisis, of course we already know that there is not a single policy that has no pros and cons,” said Herry Tousa at the Business Talk program which was broadcast Kompas TV, Tuesday (6/6/2023) evening.
Herry also explained that sedimentation of sea sand in the Riau Islands every time comes from the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
“Now the conditions are mountainous. Later, if you want, I will take you there. So in my opinion, this is a blessing from God, which if we don’t take advantage of it, it will be redundant,” said Herry.
Furthermore, Herry also explained that for a long time, each province had prepared a Marine and Small Islands Zoning Plan (RZWP3K).
“In Riau Islands it has been drafted starting in 2017. In Karimun it has been in existence since 2011. In Riau Islands Province, we drafted it with the Special Committee in the DPRD. Until the 2019 Election, RZWP3K was not completed, we have Elections, new parliament, new government. In October 2020 RZWP3K Riau Islands it’s finished. I continue to accompany the meetings in the DPRD, how to accommodate so that we don’t debate about the sinking island, the mess, the marine life,” said Herry.
Herry explained, when the Riau Islands RZWP3K was finished, Edy Prabowo was the minister.
“Weigh the first suggestion he signed. Go down again to the province for finalization. Weigh the second suggestion, it will be finished in November. Go up to Jakarta, which was signed at that time, was interim for Mr. Yasin Limpo. I heard it was signed on December 20, 2020,” explained Herry.
Herry also explained that RZWP3K is important for KKP, therefore in the Riau Islands RZWP3K, four zones for the use of sea space have been established, namely fishing zoning, tourism zoning, port business entity zoning and mining business permit area zoning.
“So each province has a spatial layout, there is an RZWP3K, which really is in accordance with the wishes of each region so that each province can develop. The sedimentation being discussed now is clearly in the area of the mining business permit,” said Herry.
According to Herry, even though the Riau Islands RZWP3K was completed on December 20 2020, it has not come down to this day because reportedly it is still stuck at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Furthermore, still on the same occasion, Herry also revealed, although currently Indonesia is still implementing a moratorium on the export of sea sand, he knows that every day there are three to four foreign ships that pass carrying the sea sand.
“Well, this is detrimental to us and of course this is our failure. So because of all doubts about this environmental issue, I will later invite all parties, including Walhi and Greenpeace, if necessary, we will hold an FGD in Batam. I will explain everything. That this process does not necessarily happen today, but is a series of long discussions,” explained Herry.
Nevertheless, Herry expressed hope that the government would not rush to lift the sea sand export moratorium that had been in effect since 2003.
“We actually hope that the Riau Islands can be an example first by making a pilot project. Maybe it can be done with a three-ministerial decree. So, that’s when we will see how it impacts state revenue,” explained Herry Tousa.
He also stated that he had committed to providing a CSR of 15 Singapore Dollar cents per cubic meter from sea sand mining to the community. In addition, the protector also ensures that he has an environmentally friendly mining method.
“Then, of course, we are committed to fulfilling taxes and various state obligations. For your information, we have also involved the Raja Ali Haji Maritime University in the discussion so far. Professor Rokhmin Dahuri has also been invited many times and offered his opinion, so this isn’t just anything,” explained Herry.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Marine Spatial Management, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Victor Gustaaf Manoppo, who was also present at the Kompas TV program, ensured that there would be no environmental damage and other negative impacts from implementing PP No. 26/2023.
“This is in accordance with the Minister’s direction that the ecological aspect is the government’s main concern at this time. So input from all parties will be considered in every decision we make. Therefore, we ensure that there will be no negative impact that the public is worried about,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Journalist Kontan Titis Nurdiana, who was present at the event that night, also emphasized the importance of strict supervision over the sand blasting.
“Don’t damage the marine ecosystem and of course don’t harm our fishermen. That’s why we think it needs strict supervision in its implementation,” said Titis.(*)
