Tidore Sultan Refuses Jokowi Visit If Aimed at Regional Autonomy
5 May 2015 12:40 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Ternate – Husain Sjah, the Sultan of Tidore, said he would reject the planned visit of President Joko Widodo to North Maluku if its purpose was to look into the possibilities of turning Sofifi into a new autonomous region.
Husain said the president should instead use his visit to have a closer look at locals’ socio-economic conditions, solicit public aspirations and provide tangible solutions to issues stemming from the government’s policy.
“Principally, the Tidore Sultanate is delighted by and will give a warm welcome to President Jokowi during his visit to North Maluku. But if the purpose of his visit is to delve into the possibilities of establishing a new autonomous region, he’d better return to Jakarta,” Husain told Tempo on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.
Husain said Sofifi remained an underdeveloped region despite its status as the province’s capital, and that dozens of infrastructure projects in the region were in limbo. He added the North Maluku administration seemed to have turned a blind eye to the development of Sofifi.
“Thus, if the aim of the visit is that (regional expansion), just stop. Don’t place more burdens on us by forming a new autonomous region,” the sultan said.
Separately, North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba said the president had two agendas for his visit to his province, viz. leading a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Sofifi Grand Mosque and another one for Oikumene Church.
President Jokowi is slated to leave for Ternate on Thursday, May 7, 2015. The North Maluku Police said they would ready at least 1,090 police personnel to secure the president. While in the province, Jokowi will meet with regional heads across North Maluku. “All technicalities have been completed. All regional heads have also confirmed their attendance,” Gani said.
BUDHY NURGIANTO