Maluku-Dutch sister city

TUAL, Maluku: Dutch activists are exploring the possibilities of establishing a sister-city scheme between Tual and Nistelrode in the Netherlands.

Poly Roemloes, head of the Dutch organization Satu Bantu Satu, (One Helps One) who is in Tual for a six-day visit, said on Monday that he would discuss the idea with the Indonesian government and the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta.

The idea is based on hundreds of years of historical relations between people in south east Maluku and the Netherlands, Roemloes was quoted by Antara as saying.

Roemloes, who was born in Letvuan village in Kei Kecil district in the province, said that many Moluccans live in seven towns in the Netherlands, including Zwolle, Ryssen, Cuyk, Zevenaar, Helmond, Echt/Montfort and Nistelrode.

He said that the Nistelrode mayor, as from this year, will provide annual funds of 5,200 guilders or about Rp 20.8 million for the south east Maluku administration. (sim)