NATIONALXPOS.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Save Pari Island Coalition, consisting of Kiara, LBH Jakarta, Walhi Jakarta, and the Pari Island Caring Forum (FP3), urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to immediately revoke the Approval of Conformity for Marine Space Utilization Activities (PKKPRL) related to tourism development projects on Pari Island, in the Thousand Islands, (91/1/2025).
The coalition considers that the construction of floating cottages by PT CPS can damage the marine ecosystem and threaten the lives of local residents. Executive Director of Walhi Jakarta, Suci Fitria, revealed that their findings showed violations in the issuance of the PKKPRL.
“We found allegations of maladministration in the process of issuing PKKPRL by KKP, because there was no participation or notification to the community about this development plan,” Suci said in her statement.
According to her, this practice is contrary to Article 5 of Law Number 30 of 2014 concerning Government Administration, which emphasizes the importance of openness in public services and the protection of human rights.
The coalition also noted that the project has the potential to damage marine ecosystems, including seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangroves that serve as natural protection from abrasion. Such damage, according to Suci, violates Article 35 of Law No. 27/2007 on the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, as well as Article 69 paragraph (1) letter a of Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management.
Furthermore, the coalition highlighted the alleged involvement of the Indonesia National Army (TNI) in securing the project, including orders to dredge sand and remove mangroves by members of the Military District Command (Kodim) TNI Army.
“This action is contrary to the professionalism of the TNI, which should not be involved in business affairs and safeguard human rights, in accordance with Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army,” she said.
In response, Pari Island residents and the coalition made several demands to the government, including:
1. Revoke the PKKPRL and stop the construction of PT CPS floating cottages.
2. Ask the TNI Commander to investigate alleged disciplinary violations by members of the Kodim Army related to sand dredging and mangrove removal.
3. Invite the Ombudsman to conduct an examination of maladministration in the issuance of PKKPRL by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
4. Ask National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to monitor the possibility of violence against residents who reject the floating cottage project.
The issue of tourism development on Pari Island involving PT CPS has become a concern for local communities and environmental activists.
Pari Island, with its natural beauty rich in biodiversity, is one of the popular tourist destinations in the Thousand Islands.
However, it is feared that the project will damage the marine ecosystem and worsen the socio-economic conditions of local residents.
The coalition hopes that the government will listen to the voices of Pari Islanders and commit to protecting the environmental sustainability and rights of the people threatened by the project. (Red)
