Jakarta,
Aug 19, 2014 (Antara) - The sixth edition of the annual Sail Indonesia
international maritime event, Sail Raja Ampat, is being organized in
West Papua province from August 17 to 24, 2014.
President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several VIP guests such as ministers and
foreign ambassadors are scheduled to attend the main event of Sail Raja
Ampat in Waisai Torang Cinta Beach in Raja Ampat District, on August 23,
2014. Yudhoyono will also inaugurate several development projects in
West Papua.
Due to the presence of high-profile guests such as presidents and other
eminent dignitaries, security measures have been heightened in Raja
Ampat and its surrounding areas in the eastern Indonesian region.
The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) has deployed some two thousand
military officers to support police officers in securing the
implementation of Sail Raja Ampat and President Yudhoyono's visit to the
West Papua province on August 24-25, 2014.
"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will be present during the main
event of Sail Raja Ampat to be held at Torang Cinta Beach, Waisai, Raja
Ampat District, on August 23," Commander of the Regional Military
Command XVII Cenderawasih Major General Christian Zebua recently
reported in Jayapura, Papua province.
The security in Raja Ampat and Sorong had been tightened since several days, he stated.
The Indonesian Navy has deployed several warships in the eastern Indonesian seas.
"A number of Indonesian naval warships are routinely patrolling the eastern Indonesian waters," Commander of the Naval Eastern Fleet's Maritime Security Unit First Admiral Heru Kusmanto noted in Biak, Papua province, on August 18, 2014.
"A number of Indonesian naval warships are routinely patrolling the eastern Indonesian waters," Commander of the Naval Eastern Fleet's Maritime Security Unit First Admiral Heru Kusmanto noted in Biak, Papua province, on August 18, 2014.
He refused to divulge further information regarding the number of warships being deployed to safeguard the event.
A parade of warships from Indonesia, Australia, and the United States
will be the highlight of the main event of Sail Raja Ampat.
As
part of the Sail Indonesia series, Sail Raja Ampat is the sixth event
after Sail Bunaken in 2009, Sail Banda in 2010, Sail Wakatobi-Belitung
in 2011, Sail Morotai in 2012, and Sail Komodo in 2013.
The
international maritime events have been organized with the objective of
promoting tourism in the regions, accelerating development programs,
enhancing access to isolated or remote areas, and improving welfare of
the people.
Tourism
and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu recently stated that
the Sail Raja Ampat 2014 event will be more attractive than the previous
Sail Indonesia events.
Raja
Ampat, which literally means "Four Kings," had been derived from a
local myth, and is often dubbed "Heaven on Earth" for its alluring
marine panoramas.
The archipelago comprises around 1.7 thousand islands and encompasses
more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of
the West Papua Province. Its four major islands of Waigeo, Salawati,
Batanta, and Misool are home to primeval rock paintings.
In 2012, Raja Ampat was included in the Real Wonder of the World list. It has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most beautiful diving sites and rated number one for its rich diversity of marine flora and fauna.
In 2012, Raja Ampat was included in the Real Wonder of the World list. It has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most beautiful diving sites and rated number one for its rich diversity of marine flora and fauna.
It
comprises 1,320 fish species; 75 percent of the world's coral species,
10 times the number of coral species in the Caribbean; five species of
rare turtles; 57 species of mantis shrimps; 13 species of marine
mammals; and 27 species of rare fish.
There are also 60 varieties of crayfish; 699 types of soft animals or
species of mollusks, comprising 530 species of snails (Gastropoda); 159
species of shells (bivalva); two species of Scaphopoda; five species of
squid (Cephalopoda); and three Chiton species.
To promote Raja Ampat as an international tourist destination, the
government, over the last two years, has set aside Rp1.5 trillion for
the development of infrastructure projects, such as the construction of
an airport, piers, and hospitals in West Papua.
Several ministries, institutions, and public and private sectors are working in tandem to synergize the programs, with an eye to offer economic and cultural benefits to both the participants and the communities where the event will be held.
Australia and the United States have confirmed their participation in Sail Raja Ampat, while other countries such as India, China, Thailand, and Singapore have expressed their interest to take part in the maritime event, remarked Brigadier General Gatot Triswanto, commander of the Jayapura Naval Fleet X.
Several ministries, institutions, and public and private sectors are working in tandem to synergize the programs, with an eye to offer economic and cultural benefits to both the participants and the communities where the event will be held.
Australia and the United States have confirmed their participation in Sail Raja Ampat, while other countries such as India, China, Thailand, and Singapore have expressed their interest to take part in the maritime event, remarked Brigadier General Gatot Triswanto, commander of the Jayapura Naval Fleet X.
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(f001/INE/a014)
(f001/INE/a014)
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