President Jokowi Orders Regional Heads to Resolve Land Dispute in Labuan Bajo

President Jokowi delivers his remarks during a Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Development of Labuan Bajo Tourist Destination at the Plataran Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), Monday (20/1). Photo by: Anggun/PR

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said that there is still a lot of land dispute in West Manggarai and that the problem needs to be resolved by regional heads because it has been a concern for investors who want to invest in the region.

“I order Mr. Governor and Mr. Regent to pay attention to the large number of land dispute here, because there is concern from investors who want to invest their capital here. The existing customary law and the positive law must be synchronized,” the President said during a Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Development of Labuan Bajo Tourist Destination at the Plataran Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), Monday (20/1).

On that occasion, the President also said that large ships that enter Labuan Bajo should be registered and should benefit the locals.

Regarding waste on land and marine debris, the President ordered the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry to clean up the sea and the reef, since there were complaints about the cleanliness of the sea.

“Although (the marine debris) is not in large quantity but we have to start cleaning it up before it becomes larger. I also ask the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry to develop infrastructure for waste disposal in the form of incinerator or other forms. (The development) should be completed immediately,” the President added.

Regarding raw water, President Jokowi has ordered Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to provide additional raw water in Labuan Bajo.

“Lastly, regarding the promotion, I think our target is that by the end of 2020, after everything is ready, the Ministry of Tourism should carry out a large-scale promotion, including international events that attract tourists to come to Labuan Bajo,” the President said.

At the end of his remarks, President Jokowi said that the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) must be ready to support maintaining security for tourists. “The SAR and the BNPB will increase sense of security,” the President said.

Also present during the Meeting were, among others, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Wishnutama, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General (TNI) Doni Monardo, Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Vice Admiral Bagus Puruhito, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Viktor Laiskodat and Regent of West Manggarai Agustinus Ch. Dula (UN/ GUN/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani