(SINGAPORE, 27.06.2025) Even though 12 years have passed since the dispute erupted, Indonesia’s Lingga Regency, part of the Riau Islands province, is still arguing over ownership of the 24 Tudjuh Islands and one other outside the cluster, which are claimed by the Bangka Belitung province, the Indonesian media reported.
On Tuesday (24.6.2025) , the regional house of representatives of Bangka Belitung, commonly known as Babel in Indonesia, called on the country’s Minister of Home Affairs Tito to resolve the dispute using the same approach that was applied to the recent conflict between North Sumatra and Aceh, the Indonesian Chinese newspaper Harian reported.
Indonesia’s CNN Cakrawala National News, not related to America’s CNN, also reported that Didit Srigusjaya, speaker of the regional house of representatives, emphasized that both legally and historically, Pulau Tudjuh is part of Babel’s territory.
“Based on the law, our claim has priority. A 1986 topographic map and a 1992 nautical chart affirm that Pulau Tudjuh belongs to Babel,” Didit asserted.
Didit recounted that Pulau Tudjuh was previously under the Bangka Regency centred on Bangka island, which was created in the 19th century under the Dutch.
However, after a law forming the Lingga Regency was enacted in 2003, the island was transferred to be part of the Riau Islands province which encompasses Lingga. This was further reinforced by a decree from the minister of home affairs and an update to the administrative region codes in 2021.
Didit stated that the house of representatives would support Babel Governor Hidayat Arsani’s plan to file a lawsuit with Indonesia’s constitutional court and supreme court to reclaim the territorial rights.
Governor Arsani echoed this sentiment, confirming that legal proceedings would begin soon. “We are fighting because we have a strong legal foundation. We don’t want to create conflict, we just want Babel’s rights returned,” Hidayat stressed.
It was around 2013 that the dispute started to simmer, 11 years after the Tudjuh islands were allotted to Lingga. It was partly driven by economic and strategic interests, as the Tudjuh hold potential tourism, fisheries, and maritime resource value, according to analysts.
The Tudjuh Islands, meaning “Seven Islands” in Indonesian, are a group of 24 islands despite its traditional name located near the eastern coast of Sumatra.
Babel, which consists principally of two main islands and was formed in 2000 after being carved out from South Sumatra, lies to the south of Tudjuh at about 63 km away.
In contrast, Tudjuh is about 400 km from Tanjong Pinang, the capital of Riau Islands province, which itself was formed in 2002 after being taken out from the Riau province centred on Sumatra.
The Tudjuh Islands are famous for their scenic beaches, clear seawater, and great spots to snorkel and dive. Because of these attractions, people who visit Babel would like to detour to these islands.
Although the islands are near to Babel, historical and administrative records support Riau Islands’ claim. During the Dutch era, these islands were part of the Riau Residency, and post-independence legislation placed them under the jurisdiction of Riau Islands.
In response to Babel’s plan to file a constitutional lawsuit on the status of Pekajang, Riau Islands Governor Ansar stressed that the island legally and administratively belongs to his province.
Pekajang is taken to represent the Tudjuh islands as it is the only one with inhabitants in the group. Pekajang has the potential to become an eco-tourism or adventure destination, according to tourism experts.
Tensions rose last week between Aceh and North Sumatra after Indonesia’s Home Ministry issued a decree that transferred ownership of four contested islands from Aceh to North Sumatra.
In a bid to prevent the dispute from escalating, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto led a meeting between the governors of Aceh and North Sumatra via video conference that resulted in an agreement to return the islands to Aceh.
Another recent notable case involves a dispute between two neighboring regencies in East Java province over 13 uninhabited islands located off the province’s southern coast.
The contested islands, previously considered part of Trenggalek regency, were placed under the administration of Tulungagung regency by a ministerial decree issued this year, prompting renewed protests from Trenggalek over the dispute that goes back to 2022.
The central government has indicated that it will not intervene directly with the Tudjuh issue and has suggested that Babel pursue legal avenues to resolve the matter.
The Tudjuh group also includes the Natuna island. China claims the waters surrounding Natuna, asserting that they fall within its “traditional fishing grounds” under its proclaimed nine-dash line that marks its territorial waters and maritime rights. This claim overlaps with Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Natuna Sea, leading to ongoing tensions between the two countries.
