Power deficit may force relocation of 11 events from Makassar

At least 11 national and international events scheduled to take place in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar next year may be moved to Manado in North Sulawesi particularly due to electricity deficit.

Farid Said, secretary general of the South Sulawesi chapter of Association of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Owners (PHRI), expressed his fear on Monday the mass relocation of events could happen if the power crisis remained unsolved.

“They [organizers] have been unable to confirm the events will be held in Makassar, asking us to just wait and see or wait for the future development,” Farid told Antara, adding that the relocation would deal Makassar a major blow as the city has launched the Visit of the Year program in 2011.

He said Manado held an advantage that eluded Makassar, thanks to its adequate power supply and hotel rooms.

Farid urged state electricity company PLN to help solve the power deficit by requiring the industry sector, including hotels, to operate their own generators during peak hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.