MALUKU GOVT ASKED TO ENSURE SAIL BANDA'S SUCCESS

Ambon, Maluku Province, Jan. 7 (ANTARA) - Marine and Fisheries Affairs Minister Fadel Muhammad said the planned Sail Banda festival in Maluku must be made a success for the sake of the province's image as a marine hub.

The minister made the statement when receiving Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu and Semmy Huwae, a spokesman of the Maluku provincial administration, in Jakarta on Wednesday (Jan. 6).

"Sail Banda will be a momentum to show to the international world that peace prevails in Maluku and the different components of its community are living in harmony with each other. Therefore, investors and tourists are welcome in the province," Semmy Huwae said on Thursday quoting the minister.

The central government had allocated funds for the implementation of the Sail Banda festival which would be held in August 2010, he said.

The Maluku provincial administration itself had earmarked funds amounting to Rp12 billion for the marine event.

The Sail Banda festival would be launched symbolically in Jakarta in January 2010 and in Ambon in March 2010.

Sail Banda will be held in Banda Neira (Central Maluku District), Ambon city and Tiakur (Southwest Maluku District).