Ma'ruf Amin Was Surprised To See Miniature Ships Made Of Rare Wood That Only Available In 2 Countries

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin's attention cannot be separated from the miniature ship when he sees the exhibition of micro, small and medium enterprises in Ambon. Especially after learning that the miniature is made of torem wood, a rare wood from Yamdena Island in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku.

"What kind of wood is this (miniature ship) made of? It's a very good craft," asked the Vice President who was accompanied by the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki in the lobby of the Maluku Governor's Office, Wednesday, October 13.

The Regent of the Tanimbar Islands, Petrus Fatlolon, who accompanied him, then gave an explanation. It is said that the miniature ship is made of Torem wood (Manilkara kanosiensis) which only grows and lives in the forests of Yamdena Island.

That's why miniature ships or sailboats from torem wood are still produced in limited quantities. It was only marketed to guests who visited the district bordering Timor Leste.

"In the world, there are only torem trees in two places, namely in Brazil and in Indonesia only on Yamdena Island," he said as quoted by Antara.

This rare hardwood tree has lived hundreds of years ago. In fact, some have a diameter of more than two meters.

In addition to making miniature boats or ships and statues, it is also suitable as an antique carved wooden table, because the wood is very hard and not easily damaged or worn by age.

Although unable to detail the population of torem trees, the Regent stated that there are still millions of trees on Yamdena Island, and if made crafts they can last hundreds of years.

Miniature boat crafts in the Tanimbar Islands are not only made from torem wood, but are also produced using charcoal or ebony as raw materials by artisans in Tumbur Village.

The regent then gave a one-meter-long miniature sailing ship to the vice president along with the best woven cloth from the area and a book about the Tanimbar Islands.

Petrus said that his party would encourage craftsmen to mass produce handicrafts from torem wood to meet increasing market opportunities and demands.

He added, the process of making a miniature ship or sailboat, as well as a statue takes a long time because it requires accuracy and level of difficulty.

The Vice President assessed that the craft of the miniature ship had high artistic value because it was made manually through the hands of craftsmen from Yamdena Island.

"This (miniature sailboat) if it is sold or exported abroad, it will sell well and be expensive, especially since the material comes from rare wood," said the Vice President.

He asked Regent Petrus to discuss marketing and export opportunities abroad with the Coordinating Minister for Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki.