Sand Loading on LCT Ships Draws Criticism
Bitung - The activity of transporting sand using a Landing Craft Tank (LCT) type ship at the PT Indo Hong Hai pier, Bitung City, North Sulawesi, has drawn sharp attention.
Allegations of illegal mining practices have emerged in the community, prompting sand managers to finally speak up.
In a clarification delivered to the media on Saturday (31/5/2025), representatives of the managers emphasized that transporting sand using LCT is not an illegal practice, but rather an emergency solution to meet the needs of building materials for residents of Lembeh Island.
"We just want to help the Lembeh community. The ferry is not operating, so we use LCT so that sand distribution continues," said one of the managers.
The sand managers explained that the cessation of operations of the ASDP ferry which usually serves the Bitung-Lembeh route forced them to look for alternative transportation.
The sand is said to be needed immediately for the construction of houses for residents on the island.
"The ferry has not been running for some time, there is no clarity either. We took the initiative to use LCT, so that the community is not harmed," they added.
Responding to various news reports mentioning illegal activities, the sand management admitted to having written to the Bitung City Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Management.
They requested that media reporting be carried out in a balanced manner and based on facts on the ground.
"We hope that the media can come down directly, check the facts. Don't let us be labeled negatively, even though our intention is for the benefit of the community," said a representative of the management.
Although the management provided clarification, the community continued to demand transparency. A number of environmental activists in Bitung asked law enforcement officers, the ESDM Service, and the North Sulawesi Provincial Transportation Service to investigate the legality of the sand cargo—especially the completeness of the documents, mining permits, and the use of LCT ships.
"If everything is legal, tell the public. But if there are violations, they must be prosecuted. Don't let this become a loophole for smuggling of C excavation," said one activist who did not want to be named.
