“PT Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII) has been given the opportunity for 7 years to develop (Widi Islands), but there is yet to be any development in 2022, maybe it lacks the capital,” said Tito on Monday (5/12).
“That’s why it auctioned the islands off. The aim is not to sell the islands but to attract foreign investors. So that’s fine,” he said.
The local government has signed an MoU with PT LII on June 27, 2015 to build and develop Widi Islands into an eco-tourism destination.
Tito said there is nothing wrong with bringing foreign investors to develop and manage the islands, as long as they are still owned by Indonesia. “The money comes from foreign investors and managed by an Indonesian company, there’s no problem,” he said.
Read: Widi Islands in North Maluku sold at a U.S. auction site
“The most important thing is they do not violate prevailing laws, regarding ownership and others. Our law does not allow foreigners to own (islands),” said Tito.
Tito further said that the company will need to extend the MoU with the regency and provincial administrations, and ask for the central government’s approval, in this case the Environment and Forestry Ministry, which designated the islands as a conservation area. (rr)