Authorities in Karimun regency, Riau Islands, have revoked the operation permits of seven sand export companies, saying mining activities severely harmed the area's environment and fishing conditions.

Karimun Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Djoko Rudi told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday the police had asked Karimun Regent Nurdin Basirun to make a decision in compliance with the 2002 government ban on sand mining across the Riau archipelago.

The government has banned sea sand excavation after finding it severely damaged the marine ecosystem and led to sand smuggling overseas, especially to Singapore, where its price is higher.

"We have sealed off the seven companies operating in Karimun and asked the regent to cancel their permits," said Djoko.

According to Djoko, Nurdin issued licenses to the seven companies several months ago. However, it was unclear the volume of sand they mined.

"The issuance of the licenses was intended for local sand demand. We have told them it was illegal. Only mining land sand is permissible," said Djoko.

Police, added Djoko, had also referred to the trade ministerial decree on the banning of sand, soil and top soil export issued Jan. 22 and put into effect Feb. 6, 2007.

According to the ordinance, sea and land sand are banned for export; however, the potential of sea sand export overseas is greater than land sand.

Djoko said police had mobilized the Riau Islands water police unit, based on Kundur Island, to conduct surveillance to prevent sand smuggling, especially to Singapore.

"The Indonesian Military (TNI) is also equipped with patrol boats to counter sand smuggling," said Djoko.

According to data from the Riau Sand Exporters Association (Hipepari), sand shipments from Riau Islands to Singapore reach 300,000 tons annually, compared to 100,000 tons for the domestic market.

Singapore has grown from its size in 2000 thanks to the rush of sand imported from the islands partly through the black market. The illegal sand business in the province has reportedly involved politicians from Jakarta and military officials.

Elsewhere, a group farmers in Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta, opposed a planned land reclamation project involving the prestigious Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and a private company, saying it would affect their farmland.

More than 1,000 coastal farmers on Monday demanded (UGM) rector Sudjarwadi sign an agreement not to be involved in any form of cooperation with sand mining activities.

The farmers, from 11 villages along the coast of Kulonprogo, arrived at UGM at around 9:30 a.m. by truck, car and motorcycle after learning that UGM's forestry school would be involved in scientific studies by working with an investor, PT Jogja Magasa Mining, and the Kulonprogo regency administration in a reclamation project valued at Rp 1.2 billion (approximately US$133,300).

UGM is slated to conduct research on the coastal area after the reclamation project has been completed.

"We will reject the plan at all cost and oppose anyone involved to our last drop of blood. Even if we have to wage a war, I'm ready to die," said protest coordinator Tukijo.

Tukijo said sand mining would have an adverse impact on the environment, especially on the local community, because more than 6,000 families depend on farming on the disputed 100-hectare plot of sandy soil.

"More than 30,000 lives eke a living from growing vegetables and side crops on the coastal farmland. What would we eat if the sand was mined?" Tukijo said.

The sand mining project, which commenced in 2005, would be carried out on a coastal area stretching 25 kilometers long, 1.8 km wide and 14.5 meters deep.

"Thousands of homes would be evicted. Where would we stay? Even if they relocated us, what would we do for a living?

Immigration authorities in Batam, Riau Islands province, on Tuesday detained 11 foreign nationals, most of them allegedly working illegally in the city.

Based on information from the Batam Immigration Office, the group consisted of six Indians, four Filipinos and a Briton. They were arrested by immigration officers in a dockyard in Tanjung Uncang on Tuesday morning.

Office head Sudirman told The Jakarta Post that seven of the foreigners were arrested for misusing their visas, while four had overstayed in Indonesia.

"Our officers are still questioning the 11 foreigners intensively. At the moment, they have overstayed and misused their visas," Sudirman said.

The Indian citizens are identified as Krishnapillai Girishkumar, Divakaran Nair Saji, Solanki Gitam Singh, Amandeep Singh, Ahmed Ashafaque and Pillai Sujai Babu Kuttan.

The Filipinos are identified as Baltazar Jr. Baund Pitogo, Ranildo Pederes Cristobal, Johnell Cantara Crate and Celso Partosa Servano, and the Briton as Ian Francis Hesling.

Sudirman said the foreign nationals were caught working in a dockyard, but declined to disclose for which company.

Those who have breached the immigration law could face prison sentences of up to five years or fines of up to Rp 25 million (US$2,700).

The latest arrests of illegal foreign workers in Batam reflect increased concern over illegal immigration of foreign nationals seeking work there. It has been suggested that many, especially from India and the Philippines, have entered from Malaysia and Singapore via entry points in Batam.

Widespread cases of illegal employment in Batam reflect lax supervision by relevant authorities and proximity with neighboring countries.

Batam municipal councilor Ruslan Kasbulatov said his office welcomed the stern measures taken by the Batam Immigration Office in arresting the foreigners, who are believed to have been working illegally in Batam.

The state has certainly incurred losses due to the offenses because there is a legal responsibility to pay $100 a month in local skills training and enhancement fees for each employed foreign national, he said.

Calls are being heard for an investigation of the regent and deputy regent of Bintan, Riau Islands province, over a forest conversion case that has resulted in the arrests of the regency secretary and a lawmaker on bribery charges.

Regency secretary Azirwan and House of Representatives lawmaker Al Amin Nasution were arrested Wednesday in Jakarta on suspicion of bribery.

Authorities are now expanding the investigation to determine whether other Bintan officials and lawmakers are involved.

Observers in Riau Islands say it is unlike Azirwan acted without the knowledge of Bintan Regent Anshar Achmad and Deputy Regent Mastur Taher.

Yudi Karya, a member of the Corruption Eradication National Movement, a graft watchdog in Riau Islands, told The Jakarta Post on Friday the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) should at least talk with Anshar and Mastur about the case.

"Logically, Azirwan is unlikely to have done this out of his own personal interest. How did he get that much money? The KPK should not give the impression of hesitation just because an alliance of political parties is involved," said Yudi.

Amin Nasution is a legislator from the United Development Party (PPP), while Anshar is chairman of the Golkar Party's Riau Islands executive board.

"The KPK should question Anshar because Azirwan is his subordinate and it is unlikely he was behind the bribery. The KPK should not be afraid just because Anshar is the head of a major party," said Yudi.

Yudi accused the KPK of failing to be impartial when it came to investigating corruption involving those with political backgrounds, claiming the commission pursued cases implicating people from small parties with more vigor than those involving suspects from major parties.

"We urge the KPK to show its integrity in this case. Don't look at it from which of the political parties are involved," said Yudi.

Separately, Bintan Deputy Regent Mastur Taher said the regency administration was preparing a defense team for Azirwan.

He speculated Azirwan obtained the money allegedly used to bribe Amin from investors in the proposed central business district in Bintan Bunyu, which would include a complex of administration offices.

"The regent is difficult to reach. I am also unable to contact him," said Mastur, who is affiliated with the Justice Prosperity Party.

Mastur claimed he was not involved in strategic decisions made by the Bintan administration.