REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The plan stated by the Coordinator Minister of Maritim, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, to let Japan managing Morotai Islan in North Maluku, seemed to generate many questions. The Sultan of Tidore, Sjah Husain, wrote a letter to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). 

In the open letter which was launched on Facebook under the name Sultan Tidore Husain Sjah, on Monday, he questioned the particulars cooperation between the government of Japan and Indonesia to manage Morotai Island in North Maluku. Sultan was willing to hear and take action on anything bothered the people in North Maluku. 

Sultan said in his letter that, on January 15, 2017, he received information through television broadcasting, stated that Jokowi had established cooperation with Japan to manage Morotai Island. 

Sultan asked on the government consideration in doing the cooperation, in terms of economic, political and cultural, defense and security, and the national dignity. He also asked whether the government involved the regional government and the people in Morotai as the legitimate owner of the island. 

“I do feel sad if the local residents and the legitimate owner of the Morotai Island were not involved,” he wrote. 

He asked Jokowi to be transparent in taking the policy. It was important because Morotai Island has many substantial histories for the country, even for the world. He also hoped that the explanation would avoid any scandal or negative opinions later. 

When all what he asked for was completed, hence he wanted Jokowi to review the form of the cooperation. “Our anxiety is for the benefit of our common and our children in the future,” he said. 

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, decided to green light foreigners to manage the islands. According to him, this can boost the local economic growth.

He stressed that the government will continue to protect the ownership. He said that the Ministry of Domestic Affairs has documented all of islands and set boundary lines of each. Although foreigners will able to manage the islands, there should be no unilateral claim by the foreign nationals.

"Singapore has requested. Japan asked for (managing) Morotai. Please, make our own village there, but we will not ever sell the island. If you want to name it, just do it. But the islands are ours," said Luhut at his office on Monday (January 9).

Luhut said the government wants to bring many tourists to Indonesia. The effort is made to boost the additional income and the country's economic growth. Tourism sector is one of the most likely and quick sector to improve the economy of the country. Foreign tourist visits in 2016 has reached the number of 12 million. The government is still optimistic that they could reach 20 million tourists by 2019.

However, strict rules and supervision will continue to be improved, Luhut promised. "We do not want them to take control of our country. We will strengthen the supervision and there will be a rule which cannot be violated by foreign nationals," said Luhut.

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