President's Sumba Visit To Strengthen Institutionalization Of Potentials

KUPANG, E Nusa, July 14 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi's) visit to the sub-district of Southwest Sumba of Sumba Islands has strengthened the institutionalization of the potentials that are possessed by the people of Sumba, including the Ikat weaving and sandalwood horse festivals, Member of the East Nusa Provincial House of Representatives Yunus Takandewa said. "This visit is a special gift, especially for the people of Sumba Island, for institutionalizing local wisdom on Ikat weaving and sandalwood horses," he stated in Kupang on Wednesday. Jokowi, along with first lady Iriana Joko Widodo and their entourage, headed to the island of Sumba to attend the peak of the 1001 Sandalwood Horse Parade and the Ikat Weaving Festival in the Southwest Sumba on Wednesday. Takandewa explained that with the visit of the state leader, local potentials in the island of Sumba, which is known as a cattle granary, could be institutionalized. "The president's visit surely involved a number of ministries, which means that the local potentials here can be prioritized in the government's programs," he stated. He believed that the institutionalization of both seeded potentials of Sumba can open the opportunities for positive investments in the aspects of production, promotion, and marketing. "There should not be any significant challenges in expanding these two potentials because they are deeply embedded in the lives of the traditional community of Sumba," he revealed. He admitted that Jokowi had also urged the provincial government, as well as the community, to continue to maintain and strengthen these potentials, so that the upcoming events could be executed to its maximum potential. "At the moment, we are hoping most for infrastructure development, specifically on roads as well as clean water, and the optimization of Sumba's icon in the electricity field," he remarked. He believed that Sumba possesses such huge tourism potential, but it is still yet to be explored as most of the areas are still isolated.