Locals Envisions a 'World-Class' Kepulauan Seribu as Holiday Spot

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - After going through a series of deliberation concerning 'Kepulauan Seribu' (Thousand Island) development plan with the local officials and the occupants, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok was able to picture the future advancement of the string of 110 island decorating the coastline alongside Java island. 

He admitted how the development and progress of such development will not reach its maximum potential, in the absence of thorough consultation from the local people. 

Knowing that they know best about the island they currently inhabit, Governor Ahok took time to discuss the plan with them and received many inputs in return.

One of the requests made by the local people was the construction of a bridge, connecting all islands throughout the archipelago starting from Tidung Island through to Kelapa Island. 

This ambition grows as the willingness to make Kepulauan Seribu as a globally-acknowledged holiday destination became much more absolute.

A local named Sam Un Sidiq was the most vocal one proposing such ambitious notion. He explained how the current bridge functions as connecting access from small Tidung Island to Big Tidung Island.

To make it more legitimate and widely-recognized in the global tourism market, the development has to start somewhere. The already existing small-scale bridge marks the need to start the building of large-scale development ones. 

This is why he went to propose the idea of a bridge connecting all regions in the archipelago.

"I have been envisioning such progress for quite some time. But the local regent told me that such development entails Central Government's approval. This is a desired progress deemed beneficial not only for the locals but also for all individuals or newcomers who come for holiday purposes," Sam explained on Tuesday 7 April 2015. 

Shortly after the local's proposal for such ambitious idea, Governor Ahok immediately instructed the Head of Jakarta Water Management, Agus Priyono to lend a heavy equipment that will be used for the development.

"So we will allocate budget for the development in the region. I will also sort out the budget that will be spent for the workers’ salary. I have instructed Agus to supply us with 1 heavy and useful tool or instrument," Governor Ahok informed. 

The local regent, Tri Joko Sri Margianto is equally excited with the development plan as the confidence over continually increasing number of visitors coming into islands intensified. 

In 2013, it is reported as many as 1,49% of foreign visitors chose the area as holiday destination.

"In 2014 itself, we have as many as 3 million foreign visitors. This means the rate has positively increased by 100% if being compared to the preceeding years," he explained. (Akp/Tnt)