REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PANDEGLANG -- The Pandeglang district office of the maritime and fishery ministry in Banten said it will summon the National Land Office (BPN) to clarify ownership claim over two islands by a company and an individual.

"We will coordinate with related agencies such as BPN on ownership claim over the two islands," head of the district office of the maritime and fishery ministry Tata Nanzar Riyadi said here on Wednesday.

The two islands, the islands of Umang and Oar , are respectively claimed by a company and an individual, Tata said giving no name of the claimants.

Both the company and the individual claimed they already have the documents certifying their claim, he said.

However, there is no regulation allowing individuals or companies to own an island, he stressed.

One could have the right to manage or to use an island on land use title, he said.

"The regulation is clear. All islands in Indonesian territory are owned by the government. No island is owned privately owned," he said.

A report earlier said that the family of the disgraced Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, who is under arrest by the Corruption Eradication Commission on corruption charge, owned one of the islands off Pandegelang.

He said the claims of ownership over the two islands have been submitted to the maritime and fisheries ministry.

"The ministry has asked for the document and evidence to support the claim. The ministry will deal with that matter. If necessary to take the legal procedure," he said.

He said there are 33 small islands off Pandeglang including the islands of Umang, Oar, Peucang, Panaitan, Deli, Tinjil and Badul.

"Only two of the 33 islands are claimed by someone. There is no problem with the rest," he said.

He said the islands are potential especially for tourist development, but they have not been touched that they have no contribution yet to the regional income.

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