Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam
A high-ranking Navy officer on Tuesday offered a cautious endorsement of Riau Islands province's decision to lease several islands to foreign nationals involved in tourism.
Commander of the naval base in Tanjung Pinang, Rear Adm. Among Margono, told The Jakarta Post there were no indications the province's decision had threatened national security.
However, he said the Navy would continue to be alert for any diving activities in Riau Islands waters to prevent the country's undersea wealth from being plundered by the foreign parties.
Among said the Navy had not been consulted or informed by local administrations or the provincial administration about how many islands had been leased.
""But as far as I know, the islands leased to the foreigners are used for tourist businesses. We (the Navy) have seen nothing to indicate these activities have affected or threatened national security.""
According to Post records, in Bintan regency Nikoi and Terkulai have long been leased by foreign nationals, who have built bungalows on the islands.
Nearby Batam Segayang Island is leased and managed by a Singaporean businessman. There have been reports the island was sold to the businessman, though this has not been confirmed.
Other islands leased to overseas businesspeople include Tunjuk and Dolpin in Galang district, Batam.
According to the latest reports, Bawah Island in Natuna regency has been sold to foreign nationals, though again this has not been confirmed.
""The lease of islands to foreign parties is frequently done on the initiative of the respective regions. You can see by yourself many high-ranking officials in the upper levels of the (provincial) administration know nothing about it,"" Among said.
He warned that while the Navy currently perceived no security threats, it was important to monitor the leasing of islands to prevent the practice from getting out of hand.
This monitoring is particularly focused on any diving activities near the leased islands, he said.
""We are serious about keeping an eye on the diving activities of any party in Riau Islands for fear that the activities are being used to make surveys or steal our undersea wealth.""
He said the undersea wealth in the province should not be underestimated. Several history books mentions ships carrying valuable cargo sinking in the province's waters.
""There have been several Indonesian-owned companies specializing in searching for the undersea wealth in the waters of Riau Islands. The companies have licenses issued by the Defense Ministry. The Navy has been involved as supervisors.""
He did not have any specific data on the number of salvage companies operating in the province.
