Heaptalk, Jakarta — Jokowi was reported to have reopened sea sand exports, which the government had banned for 20 years. However, Jokowi immediately denied this news. The former Governor of Jakarta refuted the claim.
In his statement, President Jokowi said that sea sediment differs from sea sand, even though sediment also appears in sand. “It’s not sea sand being opened for export, but sediment. Sediment that disrupts shipping lanes,” said President Jokowi.
He reiterated that the government has not reopened sea sand exports. He added, “Once again, it’s not (sea sand). If it’s translated as sand, it’s different. Sediment is different, even though it looks like sand. But it’s sediment. Please read there, sediment.”
Previously, the Ministry of Trade stated that the export of sea sediment in sand can only be conducted if domestic needs are met. This regulation is outlined in Government Regulation (PP) No. 26 of 2023 on the Management of Sea Sediment Results. It follows up on the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) proposal to revise two Minister of Trade Regulations related to exports.
The revision is contained in Trade Minister Regulation No. 20 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to Minister of Trade Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on Goods Prohibited from Being Exported and Trade Minister Regulation No. 21 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to Minister of Trade Regulation No. 23 of 2023 on Export Policies and Regulations.
“The revision of these two Trade Minister Regulations is in line with Government Regulation No. 26 of 2023 and is a proposal from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), which is the supervisory institution for the management of sea sediment results,” said Isy Karim, Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, in a statement from Jakarta.
Isy believes regulating sea sand exports aligns with PP No. 26 of 2023. According to him, the regulation is aimed at addressing sedimentation, which can reduce the carrying capacity and storage capacity of coastal and marine ecosystems and ocean health.
Additionally, regulating sea sand exports can optimize the use of sea sediment to develop and rehabilitate coastal and marine ecosystems. Trade Minister Regulation No. 21 of 2024 specifies the types of sea sand allowed for export, which refers to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 47 of 2024 on Specifications for Sea Sediment Sand for Export.
“To export the sea sand as mentioned above, certain conditions must be met based on Trade Minister Regulation No. 21 of 2024. These conditions include being registered as a Registered Exporter (ET), having Export Approval (PE), and a Surveyor Report (LS),” Isy concluded.
