Dredgers Deny Operating In Indonesian Waters Following Detention In Batam

JAKARTA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Two dredgers, including one Malaysian-owned, detained by Indonesian authorities recently have denied they were operating in Indonesian waters, specifically within Batam and the surrounding Riau Archipelago.

Representatives for the vessels told Jakarta-based media that these allegations are unfounded.

According to sources familiar with the matter, both dredgers exclusively operate between Malaysia and Singapore, transporting “sea sand in bulk”.

They also stated that data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) serve as an objective evidence to support this claim, detailing the movements and trading patterns of the dredgers on a minute-by-minute basis, proving neither vessel has sailed or transited in Batam waters at any time.

The sources, who requested anonymity due to their unauthorised status to speak to the media, confirmed that both vessels hold all the necessary permits and approvals for their operations between Malaysia and Singapore.

The representatives rejected allegations that either vessel has illegally extracted sand from Indonesian waters, describing the claims as baseless and fabricated.

They said they possess conclusive evidence to defend against these allegations and are confident they can prove that neither vessel has violated Indonesian regulations.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries recently detained the dredgers suspected of conducting illegal dredging activities and dumping in the waters off Batam, Riau Islands, without the necessary permits and documentation.

Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision director-general Pung Nugroho Saksono said the dredgers were carrying 10,000 cubic metres of sand, local news outlets reported.

-- BERNAMA