Inpex Asked to Accelerate Development of Masela Block

JAKARTA, LELEMUKU.COM - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan has told Inpex to accelerate development of the Masela gas block in Maluku, after lengthy planning and negotiations. 

At a meeting during his three-day visit to Tokyo ending on Tuesday Jonan asked Inpex to soon discuss and start the process of Pre Front End Engineering Design (FEED) with the Upstream Oil and Gas Special Working Unit (SKK Migas). 

Discussion should have come to technical phase including a number of topis such as implementation of Pre FEED, production capacity and location on shore of the liquefied natural gas plant to be built, Jonan said. 

As for the location Jonan said there are three options, but the government has no special preference related to location. Both sides agreed that the location would be determined after wrapping up the Pre FEED phase before entering the FEED process.

CEO and President of Inpex Toshiaki Kitamura said the company is ready to start the Pre FEED phase. For that purpose Inpex agreed to hold a joint workshop with SKK Migas, to discuss strategic points before embarking on pre FEED. Deputy chief of SKK Migas MI Zikrullah, who took part at the meeting, said the agency agreed with the workshop plan.

During his three days in Tokyo, Jonan met with Japanese government officials and investors.

"We seek to take the initiative. Many inputs we could get and they know better about our policy especially in electric and oil and gas sectors. No less important is the investors could speak directly with us to find a solution to problem in the field," he said.

Special envoy of the president for Japan Rahmat Gobel described as positive the series of meetings between Minister Jonan and Japanese investors and government officials, giving rise to optimism in strengthening cooperation between the two countries especially in the energy and mineral resource sectors.

"The series of meetings and discussions in the past two days has resulted in greater confidence among the Japanese investors in Indonesia. They were more enthusiastic with the visit of the Energy and Mineral Resource Minister this time," Gobel said.

President and CEO of Mitsubishi Corp Takehiko Kakiuchi said he felt honored and proud being visited by the Minister at his office. Top leaders of Tokyo Gas, including CEO Michiaki Hirose, were even all dressed in batik in welcoming Jonan and his delegation.

"This is to show our enthusiasm for the visit of the Minister and our respect for Indonesian culture," Hirose said.

During his stay in Tokyo, Jonan held eight business meetings. He also met with former Prime Minister Yosuo Fukuda, former Japanese ambassador to Indonesia Yasuaki Tanizaki, and Indonesian people in Japan. (antara)

Govt Continues To Develop Widi Islands as Tourism Destination

JAKARTA, KALWEDO - The South Halmahera Regency government in North Maluku Province continues to develop Widi Islands as a global marine tourism destination in the province.

Situated in the south of Halmahera, Widi Islands, with white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and colorful coral, has been one of Indonesias best diving sites. 

Hence, the South Halmahera district government is making every effort to transform Widi Islands into a superior marine tourism destination to attract more local and foreign tourists.

According to Head of the Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office Nur Kamarullah, the local government is demonstrating greater commitment to managing the area by focusing on marine tourism development.

He noted that Widi Islands has become the local governments key focus in the effort, as the island is already widely known as one of the worlds paradise destinations for beach lovers.

Comprising 99 small islands with white sandy beaches, Widi is often juxtaposed with other tourist attractions in the world and is often referred to as the "Maldives" of Indonesia.

"Widi Islands is indeed the future of the rise of tourism in South Halmahera and North Maluku, in general, and thus, the Department of Tourism has given the task of promoting it on a large scale," Kamarullah remarked in Ternate recently.

In addition to the large-scale development of Widi Islands, various festivals and tourism-based events are also planned to be held throughout the year, with the aim of increasing tourist visits to the area.

One such event is the International Fishing Tournament to be held in October 2017, which is also planned to be officially opened by President Joko Widodo. 

Kamarullah noted that more than 100 anglers from various countries in the world, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and India, have confirmed their attendance at the International Fishing Tournament at Widi Islands.

According to Kamarullah, a culinary and cultural festival will also be held during the upcoming fishing tournament. 

In June 2015, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between North Maluku Province and PT Leadership Island Indonesia to develop Widi Islands into a tourist destination.

North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba remarked at the time that he highly lauded PT Leadership Island Indonesias commitment to transforming Widi Islands into a tourist area in South Halmahera District.

Kasuba expressed hope that Widi Islands would be transformed into an international tourist destination in the eastern part of Indonesia, particularly in North Maluku.

He noted that in comparison with the beauty of the islands in Raja Ampat District, West Papua, Widi is much more scenic.

"Hence, with the signing of the MoU, Widi islands will soon be developed into a tourist destination in North Maluku," Kasuba remarked at the time.

In the meantime, spokesperson of PT Leadership Island Indonesia Natalia remarked that the company will soon follow up on the MoU to develop Widi Islands. 

She noted that following the development of Widi Islands, the area could be visited by tourists from several countries.

Widi is one of at least 400 scenic islands in South Halmahera District, North Maluku.

Earlier in 2014, the South Halmahera district government had cooperated with a Canadian investor to develop Widi Islands into a global tourism destination.

As part of an MoU, the district administration will issue policies and regulations to support the development of the islands as a tourism destination and will also build infrastructure, such as a transportation network.

In the meantime, the Canadian investor will focus on the construction of accommodation facilities on Widi Islands, such as resorts and cottages for the visitors, and hold a global promotion campaign.

The journey to Widi Islands from Labuha, the capital city of South Halmahera, via sea transportation takes 11 hours.

Widi Islands, with white sandy beaches and panoramic natural views of the sea, comprise 99 small scenic islands that have the potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

To visit Widi Islands, tourists can take a flight to Ternate and then continue their journey using sea transportation or board a small plane to Labuha. The visitors can finally board a ship to reach the islands in South Halmahera.

Several foreign tourists will make South Halmahera a destination for marine tourism, since it offers panoramic views of the sea.

South Halmahera has a variety of places that can be used as a maritime tourism attraction for foreign tourists.

The district currently has several marine tourism mainstays that have been known to the public, including the panoramic coastal submarine Guraici Island, Nusa Raa tourist center, and the white sandy beach on the island of Widi in the Gane Timur Sub-district.(antara)