Karimunjawa island to be leased to China

Karimunjawa island to be leased to China

SEMARANG, Central Java: The Central Java provincial
administration plans to lease one of its islands to the Yong San
municipal government of the People's Republic of China.

The island in question is located in the Karimunjawa
Archipelago, about two hours by boat from the Central Java
capital of Semarang.

Moechson Burhani, a councillor with the Central Java
Legislative Council, said that talks had been conducted by both
the governments of Central Java and Yong San over the plan, and
they were apparently eager for a follow up.

The talks occurred last week, when the Central Java
councillors and government officials, including Central Java
governor Mardiyanto, visited Yong San municipality.

"In the meeting, Yong San officials expressed interest in
leasing land at least 15 square kilometers in width or about the
size of an island," said Moechson on Tuesday.

The Yong San administration needs the island, for the
cultivation of some "tropical plants" for their own consumption,
said Moechson.

Moechson admitted that the island in question was previously
eyed by several parties in Semarang for a casino. "Instead of
turning it into a casino, it is better to lease it for a
plantation," he said.

Moechson said that the Yong San municipality would visit
Central Java province, including the island, in February next
year. He expected that the decision to lease the island would be
made immediately after the visit. -- JP