Bali declaration

From Merdeka

In the context of the Bali Declaration, a statement signed by some 90 business tycoons to help small-scale businesses and to help alleviate poverty in Indonesia, President Soeharto has instructed Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto to establish an interdepartmental team which, in cooperation with the big businesses, will formulate the elaboration of the declaration.

In my opinion, the aid should not only go to small businesses but also to the development of the eastern part of Indonesia, as referred to by President Soeharto in his state-of-the-nation address in the House of Representatives on August 16, 1995.

The development covers :

A. Irian Jaya. The Memberamo hydroelectric project; the Memberamo river bridge connecting the districts of Japen Waropen and Jayapura, future industrial sites; finalization of the 580-m Maroo river bridge in Merauke; construction of an irrigation dam at the Kumbe and Bian rivers; construction of bridges over the same rivers to promote small-scale businesses; renovation of the houses at Boven Digul where Bung Hatta and Bung Sjahrir were sent into exile by the Dutch government; construction of a short-cut road in the Bird's Head area; the construction of a hospital riverboat that serves communities in far-off areas.

B. East Timor. Construction of a sugar factory at Viqueque to create jobs for local inhabitants; making of ricefields (promised by big businessmen in April 1992) in Maliana, Suai and Baucau; construction of a sub-base at Suai to serve offshore drilling activities at the Timor Gap; construction of an oil depot at Suai Loro to control the price of kerosene, gasoline and diesel.

C. Maluku. Finalization of the Trans Ceram road; removing the remains of ships sunk during World War II in Kao Bay so as to allow big ships to moor; aid to eucalyptus-oil small refineries at Namlea on Buru island; extension of the airfield at Namlea to at least 30 by 2,000 meters to accommodate CN-235 and other airplanes.

WIBOWO

Jakarta