In Canada-based website privateislandsonline.com which describes itself as “the foremost global marketplace for private island sales and rentals,” as quoted from Coconuts, it found nine islands located in Indonesia, including “Gili Tangkong Island” in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and “Sumba Island Properties” in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
It wrote that the islands up for sale. But, it’s not immediately clear how much they cost, as prices are only available upon request.
Before, in January 2018, Ajab Island — located near the famous resort island of Bintan in the Riau Islands province — was listed for IDR44 billion (USD 3.1million).
Authorities have yet to address other listings up on the website, but a special staff to the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, Teuku Taufiqulhadi, said that the sale of any island in Indonesia is illegal.
“In Indonesia, a big or small island is part of our sovereignty. There is no way we would sell our sovereignty,” Teuku said.
More than 17,000 islands are scattered across Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago, around 6,000 of which are reportedly inhabited.
