Fauzi vows to catch marine polluters

Governor Fauzi Bowo made a pledge over the weekend to catch polluters who dump waste in waters off the Thousand Islands.

Fauzi also called for a concerted effort by involving locals to protect pristine marine life in the region, which could also be a source of tourism revenue.

“I will hunt down anyone who pollutes the Thousand Islands. I will look for them to the edge of the world,” he was quoted as saying by beritajakarta.com during his speech to inaugurate the 2011 Marine Festival on Pramuka Island over the weekend.

Fauzi said that the Thousand Islands had great potential to become a tourism hub in the region.

He said that the number of local tourists to the Thousand Islands regency had been steadily increasing.

Fauzi cited anecdotal evidence from observing commuter boats to the regency filled with tourists.
The Jakarta government has also shown commitment to developing the far-flung regency.

The Jakarta administration is currently constructing a power plant in the regency, which has 105 small islands.

The Rp 103 billion (US$12 million) power plant is expected to be completed in October this year and is expected to be capable of providing electricity for the entire regency.

A submarine cable would be laid out on the sea bed to connect islands in the regency.

“I hope that all residents would be able to enjoy electricity around the clock,” he said.

The city administration is also expected to operate two new boats, which can accommodate 200 passengers each, to connect the regency and Jakarta.

Thousand Islands regent Ahmad Ludfi said data from the local transportation agency recorded between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors every day coming to the islands.