Nuskambangan, a new holiday resort
Nuskambangan, a new holiday resort
Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap, Central Java
Nusakambangan island is mostly renowned for its jailed fierce-
looking, big-time criminals. It is known as convict island. But
that's not all there is in this seemingly eerie island in the
south of Java, because it also has some worth-seeing natural
beauty.
The island has a 30-kilometer long coastline with magnificent
white-sand beaches and nearly untouched natural caves. The white-
sand Permisan beach is located near Permisan penitentiary, one of
four prisons left on the island.
The Dutch colonial government, through its Department van
Recht en Justitie (Department of Justice) built eight
penitentiaries on Nusakambangan. The Indonesian government then
halved the number of jails to four; Batu, Besi, Kembang Kuning
and Permisan.
Big-time criminals, corruptors and political dissidents, left
over from former dictator Soeharto's era, are jailed in the
penitentiaries, including Soeharto's beloved son Hutomo "Tommy"
Mandala Putra -- who was sentenced to 15 years in jail for
premeditated murder, possession of firearms and fleeing from
justice -- and former minister, tycoon and Soeharto's golf buddy
Muhammad "Bob" Hasan, who is behind bars for corruption.
The idea of the island, as a tourist destination, was first
announced in 1995 by former minister of justice Oetojo Oesman but
still few come to visit, mainly because of the bureaucratic
hassles of obtaining permission from the local tourism agency and
the Ministry of Justice.
Nusakambangan faces an ambiguous situation between an off-
limits area and a growing regency. The Ministry of Justice claims
the island as their jurisdiction because of the prisons while the
local administration sees the island as a means to increase
tourist revenues.
Spokesman for the local administration Gatot Arif admitted the
unclear status of Nusakambangan had caused hesitation to make the
most of the island for tourism.
"We are still half-hearted about developing the tourism
potential on the island because of the unclear status of
Nusakambangan. What we can do right now is open it to the public,
although the Ministry of Justice still imposes tight procedures
to enter it even only for a visit," Gatot told The Jakarta Post
recently.
Obviously, the local administration is still hesitant to
invest in the island while the Ministry of Justice has long
warned that nothing can be done on the island because it will
only be used as prisoners' island.
During his visit to the island a year ago, Minister of Justice
Yusril Ihza Mahendra even warned the cement producer PT Semen
Cibinong to be careful about exploiting limestone on the island
otherwise he would review the permission allowing the company to
operate there.
So once there is a chance to visit the island or the beautiful
Permisan beach, do not expect to buy snacks or soft drinks or
even spend the night in a hotel near the beach. You will not
find any of that at present.
However, there are dozens of Nusakambangan prisoners who are
offering merchandise, such as rings with polished stones, and
looking very fierce. The prisoners wander on the beach freely,
but under the watchful eye of a few prison guards.
The guards said those who are allowed to sell the rings are
prisoners who have nearly finished their sentences. On average,
the prisoners on the beach have two years or less remaining, said
a warden who declined to be named.
The rings and polished stones are the worked and shaped by the
prisoners while the stones and shells used are obtained from the
beach. The prices are between Rp 5,000 (U.S. cents 55) to Rp
10,000.
The price is set low due to low demand. It must be said
though, that the rings and the stones are truly great efforts and
real works of art in most cases.
"The sales are conducted fairly. I can buy cigarettes and save
a little to be used once I am freed from Nusakambangan," claimed
a prisoner, Rudi, who said he had spent more than 15 years in
prison and still had one and a half years to go.
The 35-year-old Rudi, hailing from Sulawesi, said the rings
sometimes sell well during holidays and weekends but not always.
"Sometimes nobody comes to the beach at all," he said.
It is a windfall for Rudi and his colleagues if they can sell
three to five rings in a day. Be aware, however, that the fierce-
looking prisoners often press the tourists to buy their rings.
They are also very, very persistent and hound you if you so much
as take a glance at their wares.
However, if you sternly say no and show that their rings do
not interest you, the prisoners will leave you in peace.