On 14 April 2025, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, officially inaugurated the Gold Coast International Port in Bengkong, Batam, Riau Islands, as the fifth international port in Batam. The port is expected to stimulate growth in the tourism and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sectors, improve connectivity in the Riau Islands and attract tourists from Malaysia and Singapore. The Minister emphasised the port's strategic location, citing its potential to serve as a gateway for tourists and logistics flows from neighbouring countries. With 25 domestic ferry ports in the Riau Islands and 5 international terminals in Batam, Indonesian police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said Batam, located close to Singapore and Malaysia, must be monitored to stop human trafficking. Listyo emphasised the importance of enhanced collaboration among security agencies to prevent the illegal recruitment of Indonesian migrant workers, particularly low-skilled workers.

Source:
https://regional.kompas.com/read/2025/04/14/192221578/resmikan-pelabuhan-internasional-kelima-di-batam-menteri-ahy-harapkan