Better map vital to support development in eastern area

Better map vital to support development in eastern area

JAKARTA (JP): A more complete map of the eastern part of
Indonesia, outlining its natural resources in greater detail, is
crucial for the government to succeed in developing the still
largely backward territories, legislators said yesterday.

The National Survey and Mapping Coordinating Agency, during a
hearing with the House of Representatives's Commission X,
responded to the call by promising to update existing maps.

The agency chief Paul Soeharto told the hearing that a
detailed and updated inventory of the natural resources in the
eastern provinces is crucial to support the government program.

Members of Commission X, who are in charge of educational,
environmental and technological affairs, made a working visit to
the eastern province of Irian Jaya last month and discovered that
only a few parts of the province are mapped.

The legislators raised their concern that without a complete
map and data on the region's potential natural resources, the
government would not be able to determine if foreign investors
were over exploiting the resources.

Paul said his agency couldn't provide new maps of the
provinces due to lack of funds, technical know-how and staff
shortages.

He conceded however that a new and bigger map of Irian Jaya,
the country's largest province, is vital because of its abundant
timber, gold, copper and agricultural products.

Earlier this year, President Soeharto also acknowledged the
importance of accurate maps of Indonesia, particularly of areas
bordering Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Brunei Darussalam.

The head of state even encouraged the private sector to take
greater role in mapping the country.(03)