Feisol Hashim: Free market to prevail in Komodo park
Feisol Hashim: Free market to prevail in Komodo park
Feisol Hashim, the hotel magnate that The Nature Conservancy
(TNC) has chosen as its business partner in Komodo, is a self-
proclaimed "conservation convert."
Little is known about Malaysian-born Hashim, although he has
done business for more than two decades in Indonesia. The Jakarta
Post interviewed him on the phone about his involvement in the
Komodo project. The following is an excerpt:
When and how did you became interested in conservation?
It all began after I bought Kotok island (one of the Thousand
Island chain north of Jakarta) in 1984. I saw people ruining the
environment, dynamiting fish and catching aquarium fish with
cyanide -- which all destroyed the coral reef.
The local government couldn't control the illegal activities,
let alone myself. My business relied on the reef and they ruined
it. The appalling situation converted me to the cause of
conservation.
My first trip to Komodo was in 1989, and I fell in love with
it. On subsequent visits I started buying land in (the main town
of) Labuhan Bajo because I want to carry out a realm ecotourism
on sea, the island, beaches and the mountains.
After 10 years of buying land, there came the economic crisis
and a media frenzy (about the controversial park management plan)
and everything crashed. I had to put my plans on hold for another
two or three years.
How did you get to know about TNC?
I met them frequently. We went fishing and patrolled the park
in speedboats together. So I knew what they did and we agreed to
do something together for Komodo.
What does PT Putri Naga Komodo envisage as its goal?
All the profits will go to conservation -- 100 percent. People
say only an idiot would do business and give the profits away.
Maybe I am an idiot in that sense, but it is a long-term
strategy. If the Komodo project succeeds, it would benefit my
(other) businesses.
Is it true you control a vast amount of property in Labuhan
Bajo?
I bought, not control, the land. "Vast" is relative. I know
some people in Labuhan Bajo who regard me as a "landlord".
So how vast is "vast", exactly?
About 60 hectares, of beach, in the hills and in town.
Some people worry that if PT Putri Naga Komodo won the 25-year
concession, it would eventually monopolize the tourist business
in Komodo.
We will develop a community-based tour business and the market
will remain free. It would even allow more business in the area.
Everyone can come and do business.
What nationality are you?
I became an Indonesian citizen in 1990.
Are you related to Mahathir Muhammad?
Yes. He is my second uncle, but, mind you, I don't receive any
privileges from him as prime minister. It (being Mahathir's
relative) is more liability than asset in this regard.
--Pandaya