The Indonesian government issued a policy in 2023 allowing the export of Indonesian sea sand. Initially, this policy was implemented to manage sea sand resulting from sedimentation dredging.
However, it sparked pros and cons in society due to concerns about potential damage to the marine ecosystem. This year, the Supreme Court (MA) granted the material review petition against the policy banning sea sand exports.
UGM Geodesy expert, Dr. I Made Andi Arsana, responded to the policy proposed by academics.
He explained that sedimentation dredging is indeed common to prevent disturbances to shipping and damage to coral reefs.
According to Dr. Arsana, Indonesia, as one of the largest archipelagic countries, certainly requires special attention to coastal areas.
Moreover, Government Regulation (PP) Number 26 of 2023 states that sea sand sedimentation can yield economic value.
“The PP mentions four uses of sea sand; it can be for reclamation development, and only at the end is it stated that if national needs are met, the sand can be exported,” Dr. Arsana said on Monday (Jul. 14).
The decision is actually a consequence of the dredging activity itself, where the resulting sea sand must be utilized or processed.
However, the impression it creates actually legitimizes the export of sea sand.
“In other words, there are concerns that sea sand dredging activities arise not for maintenance purposes but for an economic value objective being pursued,” he stated.
Dr. Arsana continued that one interesting issue concerning sea sand exports is the maritime boundary between Indonesia and Singapore.
Previously, the ban on sea sand exports was based on the fact that the boundary between the two countries had not yet been agreed upon.
Another interesting fact is that Singapore is one of the largest importers of sea sand from Indonesia. The imported sand is then used for land reclamation.
There is concern that if sea sand export continues while maritime boundaries are undefined, Indonesia will suffer losses.
“Looking at it, this is actually a good step. But the question is, how will the dredged sea sand be managed since it can no longer be exported,” Dr. Arsana said.
According to Dr. Arsana, this is the question that needs to be answered by the government. The policy banning exports should not cause even greater ecological impacts.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photograph: Getty Images/Spencer Platt