Sand company to be fined for illegal sand dredging by Dutch vessel

The government would fine sand exporter PT Barelang Sugi Bulan for chartering a Dutch-flagged vessel to illegally dredge sand in the waters near Batam island, Kompas daily reported.

Head of Batam's custom and excise office Makmur Siregar said on Wednesday under the existing regulation the company had to report its sand exports to his office every day but the company had not given any reports over the past five months.

Makmur said the court would decide the amount of fine to be paid by the company.

Indonesian navy detained the Dutch-flagged vessel around Batam's waters on Monday for failing to show sand dredging license. (*)