Land speculators start their work in Natuna<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Land speculators have begun to swarm Natuna, the
\nnorthwestern-most island of Indonesia which the government plans
\nto develop into an economic center, the Riau governor reported.<\/p>\n
Riau governor Soeripto said the land speculators were drawn by
\nthe new mega projects being set up on the island believed to be
\nrich in natural gas.<\/p>\n
\"People from outside Natuna have been coming in and convincing
\nlocals to sell their land,\" the governor said in Batam Monday
\nnight.<\/p>\n
Soeripto made the remark after meeting on Natuna with chief of
\nthe Bukit Barisan Military Command Maj. Gen. Arie J. Kumaat. The
\ngeneral is in charge of security in Riau as well as northern and
\nwestern Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Soeripto said the government has warned Natuna islanders and
\nofficials to be wary when dealing with the land speculators whose
\nonly motive is to grab as much profit as possible.<\/p>\n
The local government is assessing how to secure the
\ndevelopment of Natuna that borders the Spratley islands which are
\nwholly or partly claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam,
\nMalaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.<\/p>\n
Jakarta plans to resettle people from densely populated
\nislands on the largely barren island. The resettlement will be
\nfor security and defense reasons rather than economic
\nconsiderations.<\/p>\n
Natuna, which is believed to sit on top of the world's largest
\nnatural gas reserve, is a subdistrict of the province of Riau.<\/p>\n
\"Its too early to discuss the possibility of changing its
\nadministrative status,\" Soeripto was quoted by Antara as saying
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
But Maj. Gen. Kumaat said the Indonesian Armed Forces aims to
\nupgrade its military status one level to \"military district\".<\/p>\n
\"There is a army post, a navy post and an air force post on
\nthe island,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeripto, Kumaat and senior local officials plan to visit the
\nisland where the government and the American oil company Exxon
\noperate a US$35 million joint venture, Antara said. (pan)<\/p>",
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