TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Arifin Tasrif opened up about Indonesia’s decision to lift the ban on sea sand exports, which he claimed is not what it’s described to be by critics.

The Minister said the government regulation No.26/2023 oversees the management of sea sedimentation products and not sea sand. He insisted that sedimentation will hamper shipping routes.

“What’s permitted are sediments. Canals are shallowing because of many aspects that include erosion,” said Tasrif at the Presidential Palace environment in Central Jakarta on May 31.

He said that this policy will not spark any issues in the future, claiming that commercial shipping routes will be affected if seabed sedimentation is not handled, such as nearby the Batam, Malaka Strait, and Singaporean Strait waters.

Arifin Tasrif believes that the exports of sea sands hone massive economical benefits and surely the country’s income.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo previously reopened the export of sea sand under government regulation No.26/2023 which was legalized on May 15. This regulation comprises the activities of sea sedimentation extraction, placement, specific uses, and sales.

Sea sand exports were initially banned to prevent environmental damage and the sinking of small islands. The law was introduced after smaller islands in Indonesia’s outer regions at the Riau Islands were starting to disappear due to sea sand mining.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI | M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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