Indonesia Urged to Settle Legal Status of 15 Detained Containers in Batam

Indonesian authorities are under pressure to resolve the legal status of 15 containers detained at a Batam port since May 17, 2026. The legal counsel for PT Putraprima Mineral Mandiri (PMM), Poltak Silitonga, expressed frustration that nearly three weeks after the detention, the Task Force for Forest Area Control (PKH) has not provided official documents regarding the seizure or the containers' legal standing.

“

Our arrival here is to question the Attorney General's Office, specifically the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, about the actual legal situation. Don't leave it ambiguous. We also need legal certainty.

"Our arrival here is to question the Attorney General's Office, specifically the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, about the actual legal situation. Don't leave it ambiguous. We also need legal certainty," Silitonga told reporters on Friday, June 5. He highlighted that the prolonged uncertainty has caused substantial financial damage to the company, disrupting export activities and leading to claims for damages from overseas buyers.

PMM insists that the containers hold ilmenite, a commodity permitted for export under Ministry of Trade regulations, and not restricted rare earth metals as may have been alleged. The company points to an examination by Bea Cukai Pangkal Pinang (Customs and Excise) which reportedly confirmed the ilmenite's eligibility for export. Silitonga urged law enforcement to review the case objectively based on factual legal evidence, requesting clarity on the status of their legally compliant goods.

“

The probability of meeting a bear is very small.

Responding to the concerns, PKH Spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak stated that legal certainty is actively being sought through a professional investigation. He assured that the process is based on evidence and facts, and the task force is working diligently to conclude the matter soon. Simanjuntak emphasized that law enforcement operates on concrete proof rather than assumptions, and investigators are finalizing their inquiries before proceeding with further legal steps.

“

What is called a legal process is certainly part of what is being worked on, and we are confident that it will be resolved soon.