TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi today inaugurated Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara.

“Talking about Mandalika, it has been developed for almost 29 years. The issue was never resolved. Why? [It was because of] land acquisition [issues],” Jokowi said in a written statement received by Tempo today. “So, it lowered investor confidence here.”

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During his visit to the region in April 2015, Jokowi asked the governor and regent about the issues that cause the delay. He first thought that the problem came from locals’ opposition or expensive land.

“So, what was it? If I found any problem, I will continue to find the solution,” he noted. “Apparently, it’s a piece of paper, a legal umbrella, a presidential instruction to acquire land.”

Due to the lack of a legal umbrella, Jokowi said, local administration hesitated to take a decision. A presidential instruction was later issued to regulate land acquisition.

“We had a meeting, a presidential instruction was issued; two months later, thank God the land acquisition ran smoothly,” he said.

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Having solved the issue, the President can finally develop the special zone. He expects that Mandalika SEZ, one of the National Strategic Projects, will have a direct impact on locals and boost the economy.

Jokowi said that the people may now sell merchandise, open restaurants or inns in Mandalika. He is hopeful that 58,000 new jobs will be created, adding that there are eight investors in hotels worth Rp13 trillion which value is expected to triple and benefit locals.

CAESAR AKBAR