North Maluku. The Raja Ampat Regency Government and the North Maluku Provincial Government are in dispute over three islands: Sain Island, Piay Island, and Kiyas Island. 

The contested areas — Sain, Piay, and Kiyas islands — lie within Gebe District in North Maluku’s Central Halmahera Regency. However, the Raja Ampat administration argues that both historically and legally, the islands have been part of Raja Ampat since the Dutch colonial period between 1952 and 1955.

The territorial dispute over the three islands has recently escalated, even sparking protests and the burning of houses by local residents.

Responding to this, North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda said her administration would coordinate with the Home Affairs Ministry, the Governor of Southwest Papua, and the Regent of Raja Ampat to find a peaceful resolution.

“We will hold an audience with the Home Affairs Minister, then sit together with the Governor of Southwest Papua and the Regent of Raja Ampat so that this issue does not cause unrest. Everything can be discussed properly,” Sherly said.

She urged residents not to be provoked and to reject anarchic actions, including the burning of public facilities or private homes.

“We are all one Indonesia. Everyone may have different data and opinions, but let’s communicate properly. Do not let the people become victims,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto admitted that he had not yet received an official report regarding the conflict over the three islands. “Frankly, I have not received any updates or reports. We will look into the matter first before providing further information,” he said.

Previously, on September 20, residents burned down five semi-permanent houses on Sain Island in protest. They were dissatisfied with the statement from the Southwest Papua Provincial Government, which claimed that the three islands in Gebe District belong to Raja Ampat.