The Government Is Finalizing An Agreement With PT LII On Tourism Management On Widi Island

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD. (Between)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government had revoked the permit for tourism management of Pulau Widi from PT Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII).

Mahfud said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT LII regarding Widi Island in North Maluku (Malut) was canceled because there were inappropriate procedures.

"The government will cancel the MoU because its contents or procedures are not in accordance with applicable regulations and the contents of the MoU itself have never been kept by PT LII. So we will cancel it," Mahfud said in a press conference broadcast on YouTube, Wednesday, December 14.

Mahfud explained that the procedural error must be based on the approval of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. However, until now no permit has been granted.

"Then also in the middle of the MoU object, there is an advertisement covering an area of more than 1,900 hectares, yes, which is actually not allowed," he said.

After it is canceled, said Mahfud, the government will reopen investment in the utilization of the outermost islands. PT LII is also allowed to register.

"If this is canceled, the government in accordance with the laws and regulations will open up the possibility for anyone who will invest in the use of the outer islands with a note," he said.

"If PT LII is interested, it is permissible to register in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations," continued the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).

Previously, the South Halmahera Regency Government (Halsel) urged the North Maluku Provincial Government to revoke the permit for the management of Widi Island which was granted to PT LII.

Halsel Regent, Usman Sidik said the request from the North Maluku Regency Government was due to Widi Island being included in the list of foreign auction sites Sotheby's Concierge Auctions based in New York, United States.

"In connection with the unilateral action of PT LII as the holder of the Widi Islands management permit which allegedly violated openly all contract terms and clauses contained in the MoU, the North Maluku Provincial Government must revoke the management permit and cancel the MoU between the provincial government and PT LII number 120.23/671/G, number 430/1047/2015, number LII/V/2015/001 dated 27 June 2015 regarding the development and development of the Widi Islands tourism area," he said, in Ternate, Maluku, Thursday 8 December.