Businessman Suspected of Converting 7 Hectares of Protected Farmland to Shrimp Ponds in Batang

Authorities in Central Java have named a businessman, identified by the initials AMP, as a suspect in the illegal conversion of protected agricultural land for commercial shrimp farming. The businessman is accused of transforming seven hectares of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) in Sengon Village, Subah District, Batang Regency, into vannamei shrimp ponds.

The investigation began after the Central Java Regional Police received public information about shrimp farming activities within agricultural areas. A field inspection on February 11, 2026, confirmed the presence of brackish water shrimp ponds, complete with supporting facilities like warehouses and offices, situated amidst productive farmland. Official records and tax data confirmed the land's status as productive rice fields within the protected LP2B zone.

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From the examination of AMP as the business owner, it was found that the land was purchased by the perpetrator and then converted into shrimp ponds. Based on administrative evidence and tax object codes, the land is classified as productive rice fields included in the Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (KP2B) Area.

According to the Director of Special Criminal Investigation, Kombes Pol Djoko Julianto, the suspect allegedly obtained business permits but deliberately shifted the operational coordinates to expand beyond the designated boundaries. This resulted in the encroachment and damage of protected rice fields, affecting 6.88 hectares of LP2B and 0.34 hectares of Backup Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LCP2B). Satellite imagery reportedly shows the area, green farmland in 2020, transformed into shrimp ponds by 2025.

The shrimp farming operation has reportedly been running for about five years, generating annual profits in the billions of rupiah. The suspect claims the harvested vannamei shrimp are sold to the local market. The businessman faces up to five years in prison for the alleged offense.

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Based on satellite photo documentation evidence shown by the police, in 2020 this location was still a green agricultural landscape, but in 2025 almost all of it has been transformed into shrimp pond plots.