TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The website http://www.privateislandonline.com has listed Pulau Panjang, located in the Alas District of Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), as an island for sale.
The listing has drawn responses from various stakeholders, particularly the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning and Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN).
ATR/BPN Minister Nusron Wahid stated that his office has reviewed the mapping status of Pulau Panjang. The results show that there are no registered land ownership rights on the island. Additionally, Pulau Panjang is designated as a forest and conservation area.
Nusron also noted that his ministry has not examined land registration status for other islands featured on the site due to a lack of detailed location information. However, he emphasized that under existing regulations, full ownership of small islands, especially by foreign individuals or companies, is not permitted.
This restriction is outlined in the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 10 of 2024 on the Utilization of Small Islands and Surrounding Waters, which limits island ownership. Article 9, paragraph (1) requires that at least 30 percent of a small island’s area must remain under state control, while the rest can be used for commercial purposes.
Similar provisions are found in the ATR/BPN Regulation Number 17 of 2016 concerning Land Management in Coastal and Small Island Areas. Article 9, paragraph (2) confirms the 70 percent utilization cap for small islands.
Nusron further explained that 45 percent of a small island’s area must be allocated for evacuation routes. Based on these legal provisions, he affirmed that foreign nationals are not eligible to obtain Building Rights Certificates (HGB) for small islands.
Previously, several Indonesian islands have been listed for sale on international websites. A compilation from various sources includes:
1. Widi Islands, North Maluku
The Widi Islands gained attention when PT Leadership Island Indonesia (LII) auctioned them on Sotheby’s Concierge from December 7 to 14, 2022.
Though the listing remained available until January 24, 2023, the government eventually revoked the 2015 cooperation agreement for regulatory violations. Reports even mentioned interest from international celebrities, including Shakira.
2. Gambar Island, Java Sea
In 2012, Gambar Island (2.2 hectares) appeared on privateislandonline.com with a price tag of USD 725,000 or about Rp 6.8 billion. The listing described it as a perfect private getaway, with white beaches and facilities for diving and fishing.
3. Gili Nanggu Island, Lombok, NTB
Nearly 5 hectares in size, Gili Nanggu was offered for Rp 9.9 billion. The island came with cottages, bungalows, a restaurant, bar, and a turtle conservation area.
4. Ajab Island, Bintan
Marketed in January 2018 for USD 3.3 million (around Rp 44 billion), the listing for Ajab Island was later clarified to be a lease offer, not a sale.
5. Lantigiang Island, South Sulawesi
Initially reported to be sold for Rp 900 million, this claim was denied by then-Governor Nurdin Abdullah. The island lies within the Takabonerate National Park and is a designated marine protected area.
6. Three Islands in the Mentawai Islands
In 2009, Makaroni Island (14 ha) was listed for USD 4 million, Siloinak Island (24 ha) for USD 1.6 million, and Kandui Island (26 ha) for USD 8 million.
7. Punggu Island, East Nusa Tenggara
Near Komodo Island, the 117-hectare Punggu Island was once advertised on Skyproperty.org for USD 11 million (around Rp 135 billion), reportedly with a land certificate.
8. Two Islands in the Anambas Islands, Riau Islands
Most recently, privateislandonline.com featured two islands in the Anambas Islands for lease. The larger island covers 141 hectares, and the smaller one 18 hectares. Both were promoted as ideal locations for eco-tourism resort development by foreign investors.
Eka Yudha Saputra and Karunia Putri also contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor's Choice: Indonesian Gov't to Investigate Island Sale in Anambas
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Gov't to Investigate Island Sale in Anambas
17 jam lalu
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has been aware of the news of the sale of an island in Anambas at least since Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Indonesia's Small Islands Not for Individual or Foreign Ownership, Says Minister
2 hari lalu
Indonesian islands are reportedly offered for sale on the Private Islands Online website.
Indonesia's KKP Clarifies Status of 4 Anambas Islets Listed for Sale Online
6 hari lalu
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has addressed the online listing of small islands in the Anambas Regency, Riau Islands.
Prabowo Declares Four Disputed Islands as Part of Aceh
8 hari lalu
President Prabowo has ruled that the four disputed islands belong to Aceh, based on a review of government documents.
Indonesia Establishes EU Desk to Facilitate European Investors
9 hari lalu
Indonesian Investment Ministry and the EU inaugurate the EU Desk to boost investment, simplify regulations, and strengthen economic cooperation.
Former VP Jusuf Kalla: Four Disputed Islands Belong to Aceh, Legally and Historically
9 hari lalu
Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Aceh's claim to the islands stems from its agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Prabowo Takes Over Aceh-North Sumatra Island Dispute, Decision to Be Made Next Week
10 hari lalu
Wakil Ketua DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has communicated directly with Prabowo some time ago
Investors Eye Jakarta Giant Sea Wall Project Worth Rp123tn, Minister Claims
13 hari lalu
Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono claims that the giant sea wall is being built to protect coastal communities from flooding.
Muhammadiyah Urges End to Mining on Vulnerable Small Islands
14 hari lalu
Mining on small islands is an ecological and socioeconomic time bomb waiting to explode.
35 Small Islands in Indonesia Threatened by Mining Permits, Jatam Says
14 hari lalu
Jatam revealed that 35 small islands in Indonesia have been allocated for mining, covering 351,933 hectares under 195 permits.
