The Government Will Review the Sea Sand Export Ban Regulations

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The government through Commission VII DPR RI decided to re-evaluate sea sand export regulations after a working visit to Batam. According to the DPR, the evaluation of the ban on sea sand exports was carried out after they received input from several parties.

The main input on this recess visit to Batam is the importance of coordinating marine sand mining permits in Indonesia.

During a hearing (RDP) in January 2022 yesterday, Commission VII of the DPR RI revealed that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) were fighting over the governance of the sand mining business.

“Both involving the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the KKP should be harmonized again if existing regulations overlap,” said Eddy in a written statement, Thursday (12/5/2022).

Sea sand holds great economic potential and has the opportunity to increase Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP). Therefore, said Eddy, it is necessary to evaluate the export ban regulations that are currently in effect.

“Therefore, of course, an in-depth study must be carried out so that this problem does not bring income to the state but harms the environment,” concluded Eddy.

sea sand

In addition, the Commission VII recess work team also received input from level II regional heads in the Riau Islands Province regarding their involvement as local governments in mining permits to determine regional conditions and their impact on the environment.

According to some parties, the rules regarding the ban on the export of sea sand are good for protecting the environment.

In 2021, the Nunukan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) held a Hearing Meeting (RDP) to address the damage to the coast of Sebatik Island, due to illegal sea sand mining.

“Current conditions, the coastline has shifted 60 meters, entering the mainland. Many people’s houses sink into the sea. Illegal sea sand mining has existed since 2008, 2012 it was discussed in the RDP, and in 2018 this issue was discussed again,” said Saleh.

Because the problem has not been resolved and the impact is that the coast is damaged, the land is decreasing, but the sea is getting deeper into the land, the residents reacted again and asked the DPRD and the Nunukan Regency Government to take firm action against sea sand mining.

For information, sand mining activities at sea are prohibited as stipulated in Law (UU) No. 27 of 2007 and revised by Law No. 1 of 2014. Article 35 paragraph 1 says; It is prohibited to mine sand in an area which, if technically, ecologically, socially and or culturally, causes environmental damage and pollution or is detrimental to the community”.