What's Behind Widi Reserve Auction Controversy?

By Editorial Team 07/12/2022
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Summary

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry did not issue any permit on the sale of Widi Reserve in Halmahera, North Maluku, even though Sotheby's Concierge Auctions website suggested otherwise. Minister's special staffer Wahyu Muryadi assured that the Widi Islands belong to Indonesia and are protected by the country's laws and regulations. "Our regulations do not recognize and legalize buying and selling islands," Wahyu said Monday.

As a result, foreign parties cannot own the islands. "Almost all of the 83 islets of the Widi Islands are protected forests, and their waters are categorized as conservation areas," he continued. Wahyu also asked PT Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII), as Widi Islands' operator, to obtain Approval for Conformity for Marine Space Utilization Activities (PKKPRL). In fact, any operator must secure the PKKPRL before carrying out any business activities in Indonesia's marine spaces, either in coastal areas or islets.

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