Could a Mass Sick Out End the U.S. Government Shutdown?

WASHINGTON, LELEMUKU.COM - Some labor advocates are urging the U.S. federal workforce to call in sick — en masse — to force an end to the ongoing government shutdown.

“It would be about getting public attention, and even more important, causing the government to focus on this problem. And hopefully, to delink the payment of wages to federal workers from the dispute that exists over the border,” said Professor Joseph McCartin, director of the Kalmanovitz Institute for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University in Washington.

Border dispute

Since December, about 25 percent of the federal government has been shut down because of a seemingly intractable budget dispute over President Donald Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the Mexico border.

Congressional Democrats oppose the wall and have refused to negotiate this issue until the government is reopened. It is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

About half of the 800,000 federal workers affected by the shutdown have been designated “essential” and are required to perform vital government operations without pay. Included are thousands of federal law enforcement agents, prison guards, tax collection officials, Customs and Border security agents, firefighters, and the Coast Guard.

The other half has been furloughed, forced to stay home until a government funding bill is passed.

Trump has signed legislation promising back pay to all federal workers affected by the shutdown, but the ongoing delay is creating increasing financial hardship for many.

Labor strategy

Federal law prohibits government workers from participating in a mass work stoppage or labor strikes.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired thousands of air traffic controllers who walked off the job demanding better pay and working conditions.

Unable to strike, labor unions that represent many of the U.S. government’s 2.1 million employees, are organizing rallies across the country to generate public support and pressure lawmakers to end the shutdown or face retribution in the 2020 election.

“Voting really does matter, because in the upcoming election, we are going to remember who voted in our favor,” said Francis Nichols, vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees’ Local 1456 chapter in Washington.

Public sector unions are traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, and it is unclear what influence these demonstrations will have on Republicans in Congress. Also, some union leaders representing the Border Patrol recently voiced support for Trump’s border wall demand to end the shutdown.

The unions have also sued the government on the grounds that unpaid work violates labor laws and the Constitution. So far, the courts have declined to insert themselves in what the Justice Department argues is a political dispute between Congress and the president.

Sickout

Unions have not endorsed a massive sickout strategy that might cripple government functions and put employees at risk of being fired.

However, at the Transportation Security Administration, the absentee rate among essential personnel, which include 50,000 airport security screeners, has risen to 10 percent.

The increased absenteeism is seen as driven mostly by financial needs, with many workers seeking alternative jobs to pay for their families’ basic needs. The reduced staffing has caused longer-than-usual delays at some airports and forced the closure of some security checkpoints.

“Sooner or later, you are not going to have to have a mass sickout. Sooner or later, people aren’t going to have money to put gas in their cars to literally drive to work,” said Matthew Biggs, secretary-treasurer of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, which represents thousands of federal workers.

Some labor supporters like McCartin argue that as this shutdown continues, unions need to develop more disruptive strategies, such as a sudden mass sickout to force congressional action.

“They need to have mobilization plans of their members, short of a strike, which actually can bring some pressure to bear. Not just hoping that public opinion changes by showing workers suffering or having to visit food banks, but having some other mechanism to bring some pressure to bear to protect these workers,” McCartin said.

Barbara Ehrenreich, founder of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and Gary Stevenson, a former labor organizer, have gone even further and have called upon federal workers to go on strike, even if it puts their jobs at risk.

“The federal government has broken its contract with its employees, locking some of them out of their workplaces and expecting others to work for the mere promise of eventual pay,” they wrote recently in The New York Times. (VOA)

Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' Staying Put in Amsterdam Museum

AMSTERDAM, LELEMUKU.COM - A “full body scan” carried out on the Van Gogh Museum’s version of the Dutch master’s iconic “Sunflowers” has shown the painting is not fit to travel because it’s in “stable but vulnerable” condition, the museum’s director said Thursday.

“We’ve decided that any stresses that the picture could be subjected to were it to travel, were (it) to be lent, that those might be too risky,” director Axel Rueger told The Associated Press in the studio where the painting is undergoing restoration. “So therefore we decided that from now on we will not be able to lend the picture any more to other exhibitions to other museums — so it will always stay in Amsterdam.”

For Van Gogh fans who can’t make it to Amsterdam, the predominantly yellow 1889 painting of a bunch of sunflowers in a vase is based on another version of the work painted a year earlier that is on display at London’s National Gallery. Other versions of the work are in Philadelphia, Tokyo and Munich.

The painting in Amsterdam is hardly a frequent flyer — it has only been loaned out six times, the last time to the National Gallery so it could hang next to that London museum’s version.

Ella Hendriks, who worked on the current restoration project, said the painting underwent a series of tests she likened to a “full body scan” on a human patient. The tests used precision imaging machines to peer through the surface and decide what could and could not be done to the painting.

One test, usually used to examine retinas, gave a crucial insight by creating a “virtual cross-section” of layers of paint and varnish.

“We can see ... that the paint layer is mixed in together with the varnish layer so there’s not a clear division between them,” Hendriks said.

That discovery has limited the amount of work restorer Rene Boitelle can carry out. He will remove some patches of beeswax that was applied after Van Gogh finished the work and have now gone a milky white color, and will use special paint to rework some previous restorations to make them less visible.

To return the painting to its original state would involve removing the varnish, which Van Gogh did not apply to the painting. Also, some previous restorations are under the varnish and can’t be treated.

“That varnish cannot be removed safely - at least not with the methods and materials available to us now,” Boitelle said. “I can remove the wax but the retouchings are there to stay - at least for now.”

The painting will go back on display at the museum Feb. 22 and an exhibition about the research and restoration will open in June.

That means Boitelle has just a few more weeks to incredibly carefully spruce up one of the world’s most recognizable artworks.

“It’s quite exciting, obviously, but I try not to be too aware and too conscious of all the myths and the iconic value that the painting has,” he said. “After all it’s still just a painting like so many we’ve treated here in this studio and I’ll treat it with the same dedication and seriousness and concentration as I would treat any other painting that is not iconic.” (VOA)

The Nekton Mission, Scientists to Explore Indian Ocean Depths

WASHINGTON, LELEMUKU.COM - Scientists prepared Thursday to embark on an unprecedented, years-long mission to explore the Indian Ocean and document changes taking place beneath the waves that could affect billions of people in the surrounding region over the coming decades.

The ambitious expedition will delve into one of the last major unexplored frontiers on the planet, a vast body of water that’s already feeling the effects of global warming. Understanding the Indian Ocean’s ecosystem is important not just for the species that live in it, but also for an estimated 2.5 billion people at home in the region — from East Africa, the Arabian peninsula, South and Southeast Asia.

The Nekton Mission, supported by over 40 organizations, will conduct further dives in other parts of the Indian Ocean over three years. The research will contribute to a summit on the state of the Indian Ocean planned for late 2021.

The Ocean Zephyr is preparing to leave Bremerhaven, Germany, on the first leg of trip. Researchers will spend seven weeks surveying underwater life, map the sea floor and drop sensors to depths of up to 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) in the seas around the Seychelles.

Little is known about the watery world below depths of 30 meters (100 feet), which scientists from Britain and the Seychelles will be exploring with two crewed submarines and a remotely operated submersible in March and April.

Ronny Jumeau, the Seychelles’ ambassador to the United Nations, said such research is vital to helping the island nation understand its vast ocean territory.

While the country’s 115 islands together add up to just 455 square kilometers (176 sq. miles) of land — about the same as San Antonio, Texas — its exclusive economic zone stretches to 1.4 million square kilometers (540 million square miles) of sea, an area almost the size of Alaska.

Jumeau said the Seychelles aims to become a leader in the development of a “blue economy” that draws on the resources of the ocean. The archipelago relies on fishing and tourism, but has lately also been exploring the possibility of extracting oil and gas from beneath the sea floor.

“Key to this is knowing not only what you have in the ocean around you, but where it is and what is its value,” he said. “It is only when you know this that you can properly decide what to exploit and what to protect and leave untouched.”

“Research expeditions such as the Nekton Mission are therefore vital to help us fill those gaps and better know our ocean space and marine resources to make wise decisions in planning the future of our blue economy,” Jumeau added.

The island nation of fewer than 100,000 people is already feeling the effects of climate change, with rising water temperatures bleaching its coral reefs.

“Our ocean is undergoing rapid ecological transformation by human activities,” said Callum Roberts, a marine conservation biologist at the University of York, England, who is a trustee of the mission.

“Seychelles are a critical beacon and bellwether for marine conservation in the Indian Ocean and globally,” he said.

The mission’s principal scientist, Lucy Woodall of Oxford University, said the researchers expect to discover dozens of new species, from corals and sponges to larger creatures like types of dog-sharks.

The Associated Press is accompanying the expedition and will provide live underwater video from the dives, using new optical transmission technology to send footage from the submarines to the ship and from there, by satellite, to the world. (VOA)

Egypt Says Archaeologists Find Ancient Tombs in Nile Delta

CAIRO, LELEMUKU.COM - Egypt says archaeologists have uncovered ancient tombs dating back to the Second Intermediate Period, 1782-1570 B.C., in the Nile Delta.

The Antiquities Ministry said Wednesday that archaeologists also found 20 burial sites dating back to the Predynastic Period in Kom al-Kholgan archaeological site, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of Cairo.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, says the tombs contain ancient animal remains, stone artifacts and pottery fragments with drawings.

The ministry says the remains were not well-preserved.

In recent years, Egypt has heavily promoted new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in the hope of attracting more visitors to the country. The vital tourism sector has suffered from years of political turmoil since the 2011 uprising. (VOA)

Lousiana's Jazz Trumpeter Renald Richard Leads a Life of Music

WASHINGTON, LELEMUKU.COM - Renald Richard has been a musician all of his life. Richard says, “It’s a part of my life that’s irreplaceable. It’s something that I enjoy and I love to do and I get a satisfaction from it.”

Born in 1925 in Thibodaux, Louisiana, just west of New Orleans, Richard’s memories of childhood are filled with music. His father played pianoby ear. His uncles and cousins all played instruments and sang. So, at the age of six, Richard started piano lessons at home.

“I played partially by ear and I learned pieces on the piano like the boogie woogie and that kind of stuff, so I guess music was in my system.”

Jam sessionswere usual events at Richard’s house when family stopped by. And that was more than fine with Richard.

“I just wanted to play music."

At the age of 13, Richard went to see a band perform at a church dance. He noticed two young trumpet players in the band. He says they were dressed “clean and sharp.” All the girls -- including his girlfriend --fell forthe trumpet players. Richard knew he had to take action.

“I got to do something about this, so..." I asked my Dad if I could play the trumpet. And he said ‘why do you want to play the trumpet’? I said ‘I think I like the trumpet’. And he said ‘I'll get a trumpet for you but, you cannot stop the piano. You have to continue the piano’. And I got the trumpet. And I started lessons on the trumpet. I continued lessons on the piano and trumpet. And it went on like that for a while. And I got my girl back.”

Richard played the trumpet in the high school band. After high school, the government sent him into military service. He played his trumpet during his time in the United States Navy Band. Later, he performed while touring in a USO variety show.

Richard thought he had learned enough from his time in the band and the USO show.

“I got an experience from that (which) lasted me a lifetime and I almost made a bad mistake because when I came out of the Navy I figured I knew it all, says Richard. That was my education.”

But, Richard ended up studying music at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. He played clubs on the city’s famous Bourbon Street. He also toured with many bands including his family band, the Johnson Brothers, as well as Guitar Slim and Ivory Joe Hunter.

While playing in Houston, Texas in 1954, Richard wasapproachedby Jeff Brown, the manager of musician Ray Charles.

“Ray Charles is forming a new band. He just got a hit record out and he would be interested in you playing trumpet in the band. Would you like to do that? Of course. Ray Charles. I said ‘yes’!”

Renald Richard soon was playing his trumpet for Ray Charles' band.

“First of all, to beselectedby Ray Charles was an honor to me. I was honored by that and a little nervous,” says Richard.

In time, Richard became Charles’ bandleader. Ray Charles was exacting, says Richard, and he demanded the same from band members.

“He was aperfectionistand he was ratherstrictabout his music.”

Richard says over their years together he came to realize the genius of Ray Charles.

“It was like going to college with Ray Charles. I learned voicing and resolving notes. He would start with the baritone sax and then he woulddictateevery note like he’s not using anything from memory. He say alright, let’s take the saxophone, let’s take the trumpet or whatever. Everything is in his mind. So it really was educational.”

Richard toured all over the South and West with Ray Charles. Sitting in the back seat of the car on the way to agig,Richard wrote the song “I Got a Woman” for Charles.

It became Ray Charles’ first number one radio hit. The song put Ray Charleson the map. In 1954, Renald Richard left Ray Charles band. He was upset by the drug problems among band members.

“I knew that it would not be long before they would be what we call busted. And it did happen. And I wasn’t quite ready for that.”

Richard stayed friendly with Ray Charles over the years. He went back to his hometown and became the high school’s band director until 1962. Four years later, he moved again, this time to New York City.

Over the years, Richard has written many other songs that have been recorded by artists including Joe Turner, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley to name a few.

I was thrilled when music artist Kanye West used “I Got a Woman” as the basis for his hit song “Gold Digger”, Richard says.

The song was number one on the Billboard Charts for 16 consecutive weeks.

“It was a big, big hit,” says Richard.

Richard retired from teaching in 1991.

Living now in Southern Florida, Richard still plays his trumpet with the Marco Island Strummers and with the Jazz Masters in Naples. (VOA)

Iraqi Archaeologist and Museums Champion, Lamia al-Gailani Dies at 80

BAGHDAD, LELEMUKU.COM - Lamia al-Gailani, an Iraqi archaeologist who lent her expertise to rebuilding the National Museum's collection after it was looted in 2003, has died at age 80.

Her daughter, Noorah al-Gailani, said Sunday that her mother died Friday in Amman, Jordan. She didn't give a cause of death.

A devotee of Iraq's heritage and its museums, al-Gailani selected artifacts to display at the reopening of the National Museum in Bagdad in 2015, more than a decade after it was looted in the wake of the U.S. invasion.

The restored collection included hundreds of cylinder seals, which had been used to print cuneiform impressions and pictographic lore onto documents and surfaces in ancient Mesopotamia, now present-day Iraq. The seals were the subject of al-Gailani's 1977 dissertation at the University of London.

"She was very keen to communicate on the popular level and make archaeology accessible to ordinary people," said her daughter, who is curator of the Islamic civilizations collection at the Glasgow Museum in Scotland.

Al-Gailani also championed a new museum for antiquities in the city of Basra, which opened in 2016.

But she bore the grief of watching her country's rich archaeological sites suffer looting and destruction in the years after the U.S. invasion. Thousands of items are still missing from National Museum's collection.

"I wish it was a nightmare and I could wake up," she told the BBC in 2015, when Islamic State militants bulldozed relics at the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud near present-day Mosul.

Born in Baghdad in 1938, al-Gailani was one of the first Iraqi women to excavate in her country.

Fresh from her undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge in Britain, al-Gailani was hired as a curator at the National Museum in 1960, her daughter said. It was al-Gailani's first job in archaeology.

She returned to Britain in 1970 to pursue advanced studies, and she made her home there. Still, she kept returning to her native country, connecting foreign academics with an Iraqi archaeological community that was struggling under the isolation of Saddam Hussein's autocratic rule and the U.N. sanctions against him.

In 1999, she published "The First Arabs," in Arabic, with the Iraqi archaeologist Salim al-Alusi, on the earliest traces of Arab culture in Mesopotamia, in the 6th through 9th centuries.

She would bring copies of the book with her to Baghdad and sell them through a vendor on Mutanabbi Street, the literary heart of the capital, her daughter said.

After the U.S. invasion, al-Gailani continued to travel to Iraq, determined to rescue its heritage even as the country convulsed with war.

At the time of her death, she was working with the Basra Museum to curate a new exhibit set to open in March, said Qahtan al-Abeed, the museum director.

"She hand-picked the cylinder seals to display at the museum," said al-Abeed.

A ceremony will be held for al-Gailani at the National Museum on Monday. She is survived by her three daughters. (VOA)

North Korean Art Troupe to Visit China

BEIJING, LELEMUKU.COM - A North Korean art troupe will visit China starting on Wednesday, Chinese state media said on Sunday.

The troupe will be led by Ri Su Yong, a vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee and director of its International Department, the official Xinhua news agency said, without providing other details.

China has sought to remain front and center in diplomatic efforts over Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the fourth time earlier this month, ahead of Kim's second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The White House said on Friday the summit between Trump and Kim will be held in late February.

An all-female North Korean pop band formed by Kim abruptly cancelled a Beijing concert and headed back home to Pyongyang without performing in late 2015. (VOA)

Caracas AM Danza, Disabled Venezuelans Reach New Heights Through Dance

CARACAS, LELEMUKU.COM - A stray bullet crushed Iraly Yanez’s aspirations of becoming a professional dancer eight years ago as it ruptured two of her vertebrae and left her paraplegic.

But now the young Venezuelan dancer is pursuing her lifelong passion in a wheelchair — and hoping to put her career back on track — thanks to a contemporary dance company that is helping disabled people perform.

Caracas based AM Danza works with 50 young Venezuelans who are pursuing their passion for dance despite limitations like broken spines, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or blindness.

Yanez, 34, joined the group three months ago and recently performed in her wheelchair in an emotional hour-long show that the dance troupe put together for its followers.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime” Yanez said after the contemporary dance review, “Ubuntu,” was held in one of the Venezuelan capital’s most prestigious theatres. “I can’t allow external issues to affect me any longer.”

During the show, disabled dancers performed alongside fully abled professional dancers to demonstrate that art knows no barriers. Some members of the audience shed tears.

Dancers with limited mobility in their legs lifted their crutches in the air in unison. A dancer hoisted Yanez from her wheelchair and lifted her above her shoulders to perform complex moves.

“Dancing is all about passion” said AM Danza’s director, Alexander Madriz. “You have to enjoy your possibilities and use your body to express emotions.”

Madriz has worked for two decades with dancers who have disabilities and says that thanks to them he has learned that corporal expression has no limits.

“Not everything has to be the perfect lines and symmetry that you see in contemporary classical dance” he said.

Madriz, 47, said that the students’ love for dance has helped them overcome the numerous obstacles faced by disabled people in Venezuela, where public transport is still mostly inaccessible to people on wheelchairs and ramps on sidewalks and public buildings are few and far between.

In addition, like everyone else in Venezuela, they have to cope with rampant medical shortages and hyperinflation that has devastated their incomes.

Yanez says that on weekdays she can spend up to three hours waiting for one of the few wheelchair-friendly buses that pass through her humble neighborhood in the suburbs of Caracas to take her to AM’s dance studio.

But that doesn’t seem to diminish her will to train.

She said that the dance company has allowed her to come to terms with the accident that changed her life and make feel like she can now “fly through the sky.”

The ballerina was hit by a stray bullet on New Year’s eve in 2010 as she entered her home in a crime-ridden slum. That was the end of her dancing until she joined AM Danza in September.

As 2018 comes to a close, Yanez says she is looking forward to participating in more performances.

In the kitchen of her small apartment, she glanced at a drawing of dancers posted on the refrigerator by her 10-year-old niece, who also now practices ballet.

“She’s one of the reasons that I am keeping up my struggle” Yanez said. “I see her, and I also see myself.” (VOA)

Pope Urge To Forgo Greed and Gluttony of Christmas for Simple Love

VATICAN, LELEMUKU.COM - Pope Francis urged Christians on Monday to forgo the greed, gluttony and materialism of Christmas and to focus instead on its message of simplicity, charity and love.

Francis celebrated a Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, opening a busy week for the pope that includes a Christmas Day message and blessing, a Dec. 26 prayer, New Year’s Eve vespers and a Jan. 1 Mass.

During his homily Monday, Francis lamented that many people find their life’s meaning in possessions when the biblical story of Christ’s birth emphasizes that God appeared to people who were poor when it came to earthly possessions, but faithful.

“Standing before the manger, we understand that the food of life is not material riches but love, not gluttony but charity, not ostentation but simplicity,” Francis said, dressed in simple white vestments.

“An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when paradoxically a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive,” he said.

Francis has focused on the world’s poor and downtrodden, its refugees and marginalized, during his five-year papacy. The Catholic Church’s first pope from Latin American instructed the Vatican to better care for the homeless around Rome, opening a barber shop, shower and medical clinic for them in the embracing colonnade of St. Peter’s Square.

To extend his outreach this Christmas, Francis sent his trusted secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Iraq to celebrate with the country’s long-suffering Christians.

Catholics are among the religious minorities targeted for Islamic State-inspired violence that has driven tens of thousands from their homes.

Parolin met Monday in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. He is scheduled in the coming days to travel to northern Iraq to meet with Kurdish leaders in Irbil and to celebrate Mass in Qaraqosh in the Nineveh plains, near Mosul, according to the Vatican.

The Vatican has for years expressed concern about the exodus of Christians from communities that have existed since the time of Jesus, and urged them to return when security conditions permit.

Francis is likely to refer to the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria during his Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” (To the city and the world) speech. He is scheduled to deliver it Tuesday from the loggia of St. Peter’s and again at Mass on New Year’s Day, which the church marks as its world day for peace. (VOA)

Political Comedy 'Vice' Leads Golden Globe Film Nominations with 6 Nods

WASHINGTON, LELEMUKU.COM - Political comedy "Vice" led movie nominations for the Golden Globes on Thursday with six nods, followed by musical "A Star is Born," historical comedy.

"The Favourite" and road trip movie "Green Book" with five nods apiece.
Limited FX series "The Assassination of Gianni Versace" won the most nominations in the television category with four nods.

The Golden Globes, chosen by the small Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will be handed out at a ceremony in Beverly Hills on Jan 6.

"Vice," a satirical look at the career of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, won nominations in all major categories, including for lead actor Christian Bale and director Adam McKay.

The film is distributed by independent company Annapurna Pictures.
The Golden Globes are the first major ceremony in Hollywood's long awards season, which culminates with the Oscars on Feb. 24, and many of the winners and nominees are expected to compete also for Academy Awards.

Singer Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper were both nominated in the lead actor race for their Warner Bros remake of "A Star is Born," which also won a directing nod for Cooper and one for "Shallow" as best original song.

"Vice" will compete in the best musical or comedy race with "Crazy Rich Asians," "Green Book," "The Favourite" and Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns."

The best film drama contest race is made up of two racial injustice movies - "If Beale Street Could Talk," and director Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman" - along with Marvel superhero movie "Black Panther," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "A Star is Born."

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron's semi-autobiographical film "Roma," for streaming service Netflix was nominated in the foreign language category.

Among other actors getting nominations, Rami Malek was included for his performance as the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, along with "Mary Poppins Returns" stars Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

British actress Olivia Colman was named a best actress nominee for her turn as a petulant Queen Anne in the Fox Searchlight historical romp "The Favourite," along with supporting stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. (VOA)

Economics to Take Center Stage as Japan’s Shinzo Abe Arrives in China

BEIJING, LELEMUKU.COM - China is Japan’s largest trading partner and despite meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of numerous international events, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had yet to travel to Beijing for a bilateral summit. All that changed Thursday, when the Japanese leader arrived in the Chinese capital to mark the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Japan-China Peace and Friendship.

It’s Abe’s first trip to Beijing since assuming Japan’s premiership six years ago.

Three days in China

During the three-day visit, economic issues are expected to rise to the top of discussions, although regional security issues related to the East China Sea and North Korea will most likely also get some attention.

The Japanese leader will sit down with Premier Li Keqiang Thursday and attend a reception to mark the 40th anniversary of the treaty. He then meets Xi on Friday, which will be the first Sino-Japanese summit since 2011.

Government officials and analysts expect the three-day summit will lay the groundwork for future meetings and a potential trip to Tokyo by Xi.

In a policy speech Wednesday, Abe said, “Tomorrow I will visit China. As we unflaggingly exchange summit diplomacy, I will also deepen the exchanges between the two peoples in all levels of activities from business cooperation to sports.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the bilateral summit was important and hoped that Beijing and Tokyo could move beyond the past to forge a new future.

“[We] will reconfirm that we are partners, not rivals; and reconfirm the consensus that we take each other as opportunities, not challenges; so that we could further improve and develop our ties, and at the same time deepen our mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields,” she said.

East China Sea and North Korea

When it comes to regional security issues, two of the most prominent topics for Tokyo and Beijing to discuss are competing territorial claims in the East China Sea and security concerns regarding North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, a senior fellow at the EastWest Institute, expects that Xi and Abe will “agree to disagree” when it comes to the issue surrounding ownership of islands Japan calls Senkaku and referred to as Diaoyu by Beijing.

A senior research fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo, Grant Newsham, also doesn’t see “any resolution, or movement towards resolution of the territorial issues in the East China Sea.”

Nevertheless, Newsham notes some positive advancements in bilateral security. He cites a recent naval exchange program agreed to by the two governments as one step forward. But when it comes to North Korea, Newsham expects nothing more than a general statement to work together to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

According to Miller, China’s role of implementing and maintaining sanctions on Pyongyang has traditionally been a concern for the Japanese leadership.

“I think Japan is so focused now on the U.S. and South Korea, and seeing what the Trump administration[’s approach is]” that Tokyo’s has now expanded its attention on North Korea and sanctions beyond Beijing, Miller said.

He said there’s concern in Japan about the prospect of sanction relief for North Korea without significant progress on denuclearization and the weakening of deterrence, leading Japan to stress the need to continue to maintain a united line on North Korea.

Economics to overshadow security issues

While issues related to the competing claims in the East China Sea and North Korea will be discussed, Miller expects most of the focus will be on economic cooperation initiatives, “because that is the area for good news.”

One area Miller said is worth watching is what Abe says about China’s Belt and Road initiative, especially since the establishment of a bilateral council.

“Japan has showed on a case-by-case basis that it’s willing to endorse working with the Belt and Road, but it hasn’t fully gone on board and said, ‘OK, this is a great initiative, and Japan is fully behind it,’” Miller said.

Aside from the Belt and Road initiative discussions, Newsham said the planned implementation of a $25 billion currency swap agreement between the two nations will likely be discussed.

Although Newsham doesn’t expect much in terms of concrete agreements resulting from this “feel good” meeting.

He expects a probable end result will be a “shaking of the hands and [a] vague sense that they agreed on something,” but without specific details.

However, Newsham added whatever ultimately is discussed, the outcomes won’t “lead the Chinese to change their adversarial position towards the Japanese, who they see as, the one Asian obstacle to Chinese domination of the region.” (VOA)

Artists with Mental Disability Exhibit Murals in Jakarta National Gallery

JAKARTA - Seven artists with mental disability exhibited murals that they painted on various mediums such as tents, cafe walls and umbrellas in the National Gallery in Jakarta, Monday.

    

The exhibition was a part of the series towards the Limitless Festival, an art festival presented by disabled artists, scheduled to be held in October.

    

Mentor for Disability Arts Timotius Suwarsito said that they chose the theme 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' which means Unity in Diversity for this year's mural creations.

    

"They have varying communication skills, some of them are quick to comprehend what 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' is, while some other took some time. We then gave them examples of how Bhinneka Tunggal Ika could be visualized," he said.

    

Most of the artists responded to the theme of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika with butterflies of different colours, while some chose to do collages.

    

He further stated that the artists indeed had different approaches, from doodle art murals, naive styles and decorative.

    

The artists involved include Claire Nicole Siregar, Calliandra Alexa Roshetko, Aziza Mischa Azalia, Shan Rafael Saputra, Audrel Christabel Angesty, Anfield Wibowo, and Dwi Putri Mulyono Jati.

    

Art Brut Indonesia Community Activist Nawa Tunggal said the painters have great passion as they painted from Saturday (May 12) to Monday (May 14).

    

"They are working from morning to dawn to create their art. Their spirit is amazing," he said.

    

He further said that art could become a good medium for mental disabilities, especially to express their emotions. They could even reach a more stable condition with art. (*) 

Jokowi Say Village Fund to Increase Local Economy

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the village fund disbursement is aimed at increasing local economy by providing jobs and assuring money circulation in regions.

    

"If that would happen, Rp187 trillion would be circulated in villages, economic growth in rural areas would increase, and consumption would increase," the president stated, at a national meeting on local and regional administrations here, on Monday.

    

Jokowi noted that local economy could be activated if development projects in villages could recruit local villagers and construction material supplies were bought from local shops.

    

The village fund should not return to cities, but it must be used to activate village economy, he added.

    

"Cash labor-intensive program should be implemented in projects using village funds. Cash labor-intensive program would employ local villagers, paid daily or weekly, thus creating a lot of jobs," Jokowi remarked.

    

The government had disbursed Rp47 trillion and Rp60 trillion of village fund in 2016 and 2017, respectively. It would disburse another Rp60 trillion of village fund in 2018.

    

The president expressed hope that the fund could be increased in 2019. He called on village administrations to use the fund for village development under public monitoring. (*)

Festival Maksaira 2018 Entered Into MURI Record

SANANA, LELEMUKU.COM - The 2018 Maksaira Festival which opened on Saturday (14/04) became an opportunity for residents and government of Sula Islands District, North Maluku Province to record the achievement score at Museum Rekor Dunia Indonesia (Muri).

MURI successfully validated the Maksaira Festival in the record of Fish Grouper Fishing Competition by most anglers with the number reached 3,000 more people. This award was presented directly by MURI representative, Awan Rahargo, to Sula Hendrata Thes Islands Regent.

The second edition of Maksaira Festival held on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Pengeringan Beach, Sanana, has become a venue for fishery promotion to tourism potential in the District of Sula Islands. Regent Hendrata said, in addition to the potential of marine and fisheries, Sula Islands have a panorama under the sea is still unique and natural.

"Maksaira itself is interpreted as a meeting of traditional leaders Maksaira contains the meaning of regional philosophy such as mutual cooperation for unity," said Regent Hendrata in his speech before releasing the angler to the sea to catch grouper fish that became one of the fishery commodities of Sula Islands.

Fishing, says Hendrata, is one of the most common cultures in the Sula Islands. Hendrata expects this agenda to be sustainable every year to continue to introduce culture, local wisdom, as well as Sula's natural beauty to all over Indonesia, even the international world.

Sula Island District Government provides prizes of three boat fiber bodies and three boat engines worth a total of Rp 150-Rp 200 million. This prize is given to the angler who gets the most results.

The anglers catch the grouper with the traditional tools and ships they have. There are 713 sampan, 125 ketinting, 79 long boats, 248 fiber boats, and 12 ships used 3,041 registered participants from 47 villages. Thousands of these boats lined the 20-kilometer kilometer from Wai Ipa Beach to Bajo Village.

Maksaira herself, continued Hendrata, in the Sula regional language has gotong royong meaning. Previously, the activity in the Maksaira Festival itself was not fishing but burning fish along the 15 kilometers.

"This year wants to make something different. So it's impossible to burn the fish again, "he said.

Fishing, said Hendrata, is one of the most common cultures performed by people in the Sula Islands. Hendrata berahrap this agenda is expected to continue every year to be able to introduce Sula culture to all over Indonesia and even abroad.

In addition to the fishing competition, the Maksaira Festival is enlivened with local products such as handicrafts, snacks, typical Sula honey, and various innovations SKPD Kabupaten Sula Islands.

The public was also entertained by the artist of the Capital City, such as Selfi Nafilah (KDI), Trio Wrigala, and local artist who was loved, Brigadier Fahrin Ilham Silayar.

Also present Puteri Indonesia 2018, Sonia Fergina Citra, who share the experience and motivation while wearing and introducing Sula batik typical. Sonia who came from Belitung and claimed to like fishing is impressed with the warmth of Sula society. He hopes the Sula Islands are getting better and growing. (Detik)

Kei Islands Became the Image of Maluku Tourism

LANGGUR, LELEMUKU.COM - Southeast Maluku Regent, Maluku Province, Samuel Risembess said there are a number of efforts to promote Southeast Maluku tourism has been done primarily in improving accessibility and promotion, because now the Kei Islands so the image of tourism in Maluku.

"Currently Kei is the face of Maluku province tourism, because most of the tourism potential of Maluku is in the district," said Samuel in Langgur, Southeast Maluku, Friday (16/3).

For accessibility, the Southeast Maluku Regency in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation plans to extend the runway of Karel Sadsuitubun Airport from 2350 m to 2500 m.

"In addition to the planned runway extension, last January the Southeast Moluccas managed to bring Sriwijaya Airlines from Makassar to Langgur and Batik Air is also planned to fly to Langgur," said Samuel.

In terms of promotion, Southeast Maluku boosted its tourism potential through the holding of events. One of them is the 2018 Wonderful Sail event which will be held on 23-27 July 2018.

"For the 2018 Wonderful Sail, we will focus on preparing excellent products from each village in Southeast Maluku Regency as an attraction later" said Samuel.

Still on the promotion side, Southeast Maluku Regency has also successfully organized big event that is Bali Kei Archipelago Festival (BKAF) which is the first international event in Kei Island and Meti Kei Festival which both held in October of 2017.

Another tourism program plan that is "one village, one product" that seeks to create excellent products of culinary, handicraft, and art from each village in Southeast Maluku district is expected to continue even after the Wonderful Sail Event 2018 is completed.

"Our expectation of the typical product of each village can extend the lenght of stay from the tourists who come," said Head of Southeast Maluku Tourism Office, Roy Rahajaan.

All the commitments and efforts undertaken to promote tourism by the district government and dispar of Southeast Maluku are not without challenges. Natural conditions for unpredictable travel, telecoms availability or very limited providers, minimal amenitas, access to islands that still only rely on speed boats and fishing boats with long travel time, waste in tourist destinations, and human resources tourism is still a number of obstacles.

"The challenge is a lot but the funds are limited, but we keep trying to fix one by one the problem, the connection with the garbage, for example, we have just signed the MoU Cipta Karya, got the garbage car and recycling garbage.Furthermore, the waste will be assisted by Cipta Karya to handle, "Roy Rahayu said.

In addition, in 2017, the focus dispar of Southeast Maluku is to improve the quality of tourism human resources by conducting training and workshops, this year Dispar Maluku Tenggara focuses on the preparation of tourism objects. Roy explained, one of the efforts made by Dispar by building a culinary center at a tourist spot such as the long beach, which had just finished last year. (Kemenpar)

Festival Tidore East- West World Monument Bring a Rich Cultural Tradition

TIDORE, LELEMUKU.COM - Various events held to celebrate the 910th anniversary of the Tidore Palace with the main event of the Tidore East-West World Monument 2018 held from 30 March to 12 April 2018. In the 10th edition of the Tidore Festival 2018 will highlight the traditional culture of its rich and well-preserved society to this day.

Tidore Festival 2018 officially opened on Friday (30/03) and begins with custom procession Rora Ake Dango or Bamboo Water, in Sonine Gurua which is a field where customary rituals Gurabunga Village, Tidore Village, Tidore Islands City, North Maluku Province.

Ake Dango is the most sacred ritual of some series of events that exist. According to the Head of Culture and Tourism Office of Tidore City, Jacob Husain, this ritual is the original tradition of Tidore. Authenticity can be seen from the ritual of taking holy water (Tagi Kie) and clean mountain.

"Tagi Kie and clean mountain have not been publicized to the public and the media because this ritual is done by special people while taking water from the top of Mount Tidore," he said on the sidelines of Ake Dango, a few days ago, Kemenpar) on Wednesday (11/4).

The water source at the top of Mount Tidore is a sacred place. This water source is also called the main actor or the main source of life. Not just anyone can take the water. Only the descendants of the five Sowohi (tribal chiefs) may take it.

"There is also a source of water, and this water assumes that we are here as holy water and as a source of human life," he said.

Water becomes important, because delivered to the Sultanate of Tidore, on Saturday, March 31, 2018. And continued with Procession Ratib Haddad Farraj. However, the water was first installed in five custom homes of the five Sowohi clans in the Tidore Sultanate. Sowohi this is the guardian of Tidore Sultanate.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Tidore Islands, H Ali Ibrahim, said the Ake Dango procession is a ritual of the Five Marga meeting. The procession is to deliver water using Rau that has been taken from the top of the mountain. Water and Rau are united in Bamboo (Dango).

"The water that was put together in bamboo (Ake Dango) was continued overnight at Sonine Gurua, guarded by a representative of Five Marga armed with machetes and salawaku, which was done for the sake of safety so that Ake Dango will not be disturbed until the next morning," Ali said.

The procession is done at 21.00 WIT. With a dark atmosphere only illuminated by torches of fire. This ritual becomes an exciting spectacle for the people and tourists who come to Tidore.

Tidore and Ternate are two small islands west of the larger Halmahera island in North Maluku, now better known as the original Spice Island. In history, both Ternate and Tidore were once ruling sultans who ruled around the oceans of Eastern Indonesia.

The 2018 Tidore Festival features three main activities. The first is the Juanga Parade featuring sailing vessels of colorful traditional ships in war formations. The fleet was led by Sultan Tidore himself accompanied by the royal family and guarded by the army.

The second is the Paji Exploration, a retrace of the journey undertaken by the Sultan at the time of the Uprising by Sultan Nuku. The third is the royal procession of Sultan Tidore and his entourage, which was soon followed by the opening of the World Maritime Museum at Tidore Palace. (Kemenpar/PedomanWisata)

The Jailolo Bay Festival is Ready to be Held in May

JAILOLO, LELEMUKU.COM - West Halmahera (Halbar) Regency Government, North Maluku Province is ready to hold the agenda of Jailolo Bay Festival or Festival Teluk Jailolo (FTJ) 2018 which will be held on 3-5 May 2018 in District Jailolo.

According to the Head of Tourism Office of Halbar, Fenny Kiat, this folk party is guaranteed to be festive and interesting. Because of the annual event held since 2009 and this presents a variety of local wisdom in the western region of Halmahera Island.

"The beauty of nature, the potential of the underwater, the cultural potential and the culinary of the taste buds can be an attraction in this event.A variety of interesting attractions will be featured in this festival.All tribes and our community involved to succeed this event," said Head of West Halmahera Tourism Office , Fenny Kiat as quoted from Genpi.co on Saturday (14/4).

He said the charm of Jailolo Bay, must have been familiar to that often travel to the eastern part of Indonesia. Around the beautiful bay, the festival is held, mainly in three tourist villages, namely Gamtala, Guaeria and Bobanehena. So the series of events that will be held in the Festival of Jailolo Bay 2018 include traditional children's game party, Cultural Art Exhibition of Se-Halmahera West Tribe such as Sasadu in the Sea, Moloku Kie Raha, Sigofi Ngolo, Orom Sasadu, Jailolo Kitchen Snack Market, Moloku Kie Raha and Gelar Western Halmahera Culinary.

"There are also attractions Sigofi Ngolo Ritual, Cultural Exhibition and FTJ Dance Festive Dance Performance," he said.

Fenny explained, that the ceremony Sigofi Ngolo Ritual is a ritual offerings for nature to FTJ activities run smoothly. In addition, the main attraction at the top of this Jailolo Bay Festival is the appearance of Sasadu on the Sea. The show features International Performance from Cry Jailolo and Balabala. Besides also featuring a national band, Slank is guaranteed to add to the festive FTJ 2018.

"In closing the FTJ 2018 series provided Fun Trip to Loloda to see the hidden natural beauty of Sosota Island, Kahatola Waterfall, Ngaramabeno and Mariporoco Cliffs and in the afternoon until the evening served BBQ in Pastofiri Island," he said.

He stated for those who want to attend the Jailolo Bay Festival, there is no difficult word to get to the location of the event. There are flights to Sultan Baabulah Airport in Ternate, as well as sea transport services to Ternate. From Ternate to Jailolo, we can ride fast boat or wooden ship. Problem accommodation during the Jailolo, not to worry. There are a number of one star hotels and homestays in around Jailolo Bay. The cost per night is relatively inexpensive.

"Let's go to West Halmahera and experience the thrill of a decade of celebration of the 2018 Jailolo Bay Festival," said Fenny. (Genpi)

The Crucifixion in Ambon Potentially Becomes a Religious Tourism Object

AMBON, LELEMUKU.COM - Maluku Provincial Government Officer Zeth Sahuburua assessed that The Crucifixion held in Ambon City, besides being a ritual ceremony held on Easter commemoration, could also fill the regional tourism calendar, especially religious tourism.

The same thing has been done in the process of The Crucifixion in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has been very global. Iven is famous as a religious tourism activities that are attended by domestic and foreign tourists.

"Hopefully, the process of the Crucifixion in Maluku will also be worldwide," said Sahuburua when he unloaded the procession of the Cross Road, which crosses a number of main roads in Ambon City on Friday (30/3).

In the atmosphere of facing the Easter Christ 2018, Sahuburua invites Christians in this area to give thanks to the presence of God, who, by Love and unfortunately, we are all guided to this day.

"Today Christians in the province of Maluku, in Indonesia and even around the world have entered the weeks of the Passion of Jesus Christ or whom we know on Easter Sunday, and at this moment an event aimed at commemorating Jesus' sacrifice for the salvation of mankind, even the people of this world, organized by the brothers of Catholics in the city of Ambon and surrounding areas, "he said.

The procession of the dramatization of the passion narrative of Jesus Christ or the procession of The Crucifixion, he says, must have a deep message and meaning.

"This is not just an open, public outcome, but a procession of Christian belief and conviction that a person is willing to suffer, willing to sacrifice his soul and body for the benefit of many," Sahuburua said.

And this passion of the Passion of Jesus Christ, judged, is a sign of God's solidarity with man. This passionate story also wants to affirm that suffering and misery are part of the history of mankind that exists throughout the world.

"All that, is a portrait of the world today, which is a threat of suffering for us. Against such a social reality, this event may find its relevance. Religions are present to provide answers to the reality of suffering to answer the challenges of the future that we face, '' he explained.

Therefore, Sahuburua continued, one of the most fundamental values ​​in this process is sacrifice. That true life is not life for oneself, but life is meaningful to others.

"Well this is very relevant to the current context, when humans tend to seek solace and seek self-satisfaction," he said.

The Via Dolorosa Road, said Sahuburua, means taking the path of misery, and living meaningfully for others. It also requires sacrifice and willingness to suffer.

"Like the figure of Jesus Christ to be remembered through the process of The Crucifixion  carried out by our brothers Catholics in the city of Ambon and surrounding areas, '' he said.

Interestingly also from this event, the value of Sahuburua, that in addition to the Catholics, this event also involves all the churches in Maluku, especially in the city of Ambon.

In other words, he added, this activity is ecumenical, cross-church and cross-denominational. This is one thing that should be greeted with joy, because the churches are getting united, the churches continue to work together and do activities that are certainly beneficial to the people.

"We also hope the inter-church cooperation continues closely including building cooperation between religions and the government, '' said Sahuburua. (HumasMaluku)

DPR RI Urge To Support Ambon as The UNESCO's City of Music in 2019

AMBON, LELEMUKU.COM - The eastern Indonesian city of Ambon in the province of Maluku continues to strive to become an international city of music, and it must be supported by all parties and related infrastructure.

Ambon`s efforts to become an international city of music in Indonesia should be backed by infrastructure and other supporting elements, so that local and foreign tourists can enjoy the music apart from other activities.

House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has emphasized in the city that the institution supports the realization of Ambon as the 18th international city of music by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2019.

In 2019, Ambon should be targeted to become as international city of music, but other creative activities should be conducted to demonstrate that Ambon has the music of the world, the House speaker remarked while opening a press gathering of the Coordinator of Parliamentary Journalists in Ambon over the weekend.

Soesatyo opined that the government`s support, through the Ministry of the Tourism Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), was needed to make Ambon an international city of music.

He expressed hope that the Ministry of Tourism would include Ambon in its main program in order to make it an international city of music.

To this end, Mayor of Ambon Richard Louhenapessy stated that his side and the Bekraf team of consultants had prepared an action plan after undergoing several stages of consultations and discussions with stakeholders, community of musicians, and artists in the city of Ambon, as well as art business players.

The mayor of Ambon explained that the action plan comprised five pillars: musicians and communities, infrastructure, learning process, industrial development, and socio-cultural values.

Since Ambon was declared as the city of music, various efforts have been undertaken to encourage local musicians to create even better artworks.

Music is a unifying medium that is able to break through the barriers of differences, so it holds significance in forging true brotherhood and peace in Ambon and Maluku, in general.

Hence, the Bekraf is also optimistic of Ambon becoming an international city of music, according to the criteria set by the UNESCO.

"Bekraf, along with the relevant ministries and agencies, is ready to assist Ambon to become an international city of music," Deputy of Intellectual Property Rights at Bekraf Ari Juliano Gema had remarked in Ambon some time ago.

The UNESCO has defined seven conditions to be met by Ambon to become a world city of music, including the ability to train human resources, art performance buildings, recording studios, and music schools.

However, Gema noted that Bekraf, along with the relevant ministries and agencies, is ready to assist Ambon to make it an international city of music and is working to meet the conditions set by UNESCO.

He remarked that Bekraf is developing a road map, along with the Ambon city administration and other institutions, to meet all requirements.

Several cities in Indonesia, which have creative economies based on UNESCO`s standards, include Bandung, as a city of design, and Pekalongan, as a city of handicrafts.

"Hence, people should also become involved in making every effort to achieve success and to ensure that Ambon becomes a world city of music," he emphasized.

Ambon should join the global community, so that the younger generation is able to understand the importance of music.

UNESCO`s Creative Cities Network was established in 2004 to promote co-operation between cities that had identified creativity as a factor for sustainable urban development.

The network had 116 cities spread across seven creative categories: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media, and music.

Ambon should be named as the city of music due to its talented residents; hence, the city government has fully supported musical events in the city.

In addition to music, the amicable people and scenic city landscape is bound to make the visitors fall in love with the city.

A must-visit location for visitors staying in Ambon is the World Peace Gong, erected in 2009 in the city center, to remind the people of Maluku and the visitors of the fundamental need for peace and security.

The music conference in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon in October last year was viewed as being an important event to lead the center of the Maluku provincial administration to become an international city of music.

The conference was attended by leading musicians, who discussed music in Indonesia, and the event at the time was expected to be utilized to realize Ambon as an international city of music.

In addition to the music conference, an international Acapella Festival, or "Acapella in the City," was held in October 2017 in the city of Ambon.

The Acapella in the City was an international festival and an annual tourism agenda implemented in the form of a musical art show called the International Acapella Festival held as part of the efforts to realize Ambon as a world city of music. (Antara)

North Maluku Prepare 33 Tourism Event in 2018

JAKARTA, LELEMUKU.COM - North Maluku Provinces prepare 33 tourism events, three of which are included in the National Top 100 Calendar of Events (CoE) 2018 launched by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya at Gedung Sapta Pesona, Ministry of Tourism Jakarta, Tuesday (13 / 3)

All three consist of the Tidore Festival in Tidore Islands Town on March 23-April 12, 2018, Jailolo Gulf Festival in West Halmahera District on 3-5 May 2018 and Kora-Kora Festival in Ternate City on 1-3 December 2018.

North Maluku Governor Task Force H. Muhammad Natsir Thaib affirmed the progress of North Maluku tourism has been felt with the establishment of Morotai Island as one of 10 priority destinations to be made "Bali Baru" which accelerated development.

"Tourism in North Maluku is growing with the support of attractions, elements of amenitas and elements of accessibility are getting better," said Natsir Thaib.

In addition North Maluku Province wants to develop itself into a world-class marine tourism destination, considering the potential of marine tourism and geographic location is very supportive to realize the keingingan it.

"Among the islands in North Maluku is very suitable to be developed as marine tourism. Currently in Pulau Jailolo has begun to be developed marine tourism by professional entrepreneurs, "said Natsir Thaib.

Ternate, Tidore, Bacan and Jailolo for a long time around the XIII century have been known to the world community as a source of spice world, and North Maluku has an advantage in historical tourism because there are many fortress relics of the Portuguese, Spayol, England, and the site of World War II relic from Japan and the United States.

The launch of CoE Maluku Province in 2018 is expected to increase the number of tourist arrivals targeted to reach 11,000 foreign tourists (tourists) and 350,000 movements of domestic tourists (wisnus), as well as supporting the national tourism target of 2018 as many as 17 million foreign tourists and 270 million domestic tourists. (Albert Batlayeri)