Komodo district head Marthinus Maryanto Irwandi has assured that Sebayur Island is free from illegal mining activities. The statement addresses recent rumors of mining operations. Authorities inspected the site and confirmed it as private land owned by locals.
Sebayur Island, part of the island cluster in Labuan Bajo within the conservation area of Komodo National Park, has come under scrutiny due to recent rumors of illegal mining. Komodo district head in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Marthinus Maryanto Irwandi, has confirmed no such activities are occurring there.
"I assure you, there is no illegal mining; I'm not protecting the miners—there are no massive mining activities," Marthinus said in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday (December 3, 2025).
He stated that direct inspections had been conducted at the suspected site. "The Head of the Government Section of Komodo Subdistrict and other officials have visited the location to verify, and there is no illegal mining activity as widely discussed," he added.
The area in question is private land owned by local residents. Marthinus noted that prior to signing the land rights transfer, he had inspected the site twice and found no illegal activities. However, he acknowledged that the area was previously a site for official gold mining from 1982 to 1989. The mining company later relocated to Ambon, leaving behind tunnels as remnants of the old operations.
Earlier, the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police assured that the Komodo National Park area is free from illegal mining. Head of Public Relations for NTT Police, Commissioner General Henry Novika Chandra, in Kupang on Wednesday, emphasized, "This information needs to be clarified. It is true that Sebayur Island was traditionally mined years ago, with legal processes in 2012 and 2014. All cases have been settled. Currently, there is no illegal mining activity on the island."
These statements underscore the authorities' commitment to protecting the conservation area from illegal activities.