TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – West Manggarai Regent Agustinus Ch Dulla said foreign parties are presently managing three uninhabited islands in his regency: Bidadari Island, Kanawa Island, and Sebayur Island.
“To my knowledge, only those three unoccupied islands that are controlled by foreigners,” he told Tempo on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
Agustinus said Bidadari Island is operated by Ernest Lewandoski, a British national; while Kanawa Island and Sebayur Island by Stefano Plaza and Mr Ed, respectively. “They built resorts on the islands for tourism spots,” he said.
According to the West Manggarai Investment Agency, the three islands have been loaned to foreign parties with tenures ranging from 25-30 years through a land use (HGU) system.
The local authorities issued the HGU permits in 2001 for Bidadari Island, 2010 for Kanawa Island, and 2009 for Sebayur Island. The total investment for Pulau Bidadari is US$382.2 million, US$35 million for Kanawa Island and US$2.5 million for Sebayur Island.
Foreign investors have also set their eyes on other islands in the regency. Only 13 of the total 162 islands in the regency are inhabited.
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