The other face of paradise
> Locals living in Indonesia’s new tourism hotspot of Raja Ampat say they have been left out in the government’s development push
which now is a world-class tourist destination, but we’ve gained nothing from the influx of tourists,” he added.
Mayor also criticised authorities for failing to properly protect the area’s unique ecosystem, pointing to a catastrophic cruise ship crash in March, which damaged 13,500 square metres of pristine coral reef.
The 4,200-ton Caledonian Sky ran aground near the island of Kri carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, but half a year later, no one has been held accountable.
Researchers from the University of Papua, who assessed the impact of the accident, said restoring the damaged reef could cost as much as US$16.2 million (RM68.5 million).
The head of tourism for Raja Ampat, Yusdi Lamatenggo, said the company operating the boat, Noble Caledonia, will be summoned to appear in court soon but so far they have not accepted responsibility or paid any damages.
In the meantime, he told AFP, steps were being taken to prevent further accidents by establishing clearly demarcated cruise ship routes and world-class harbours.
But the accident has fuelled feelings of mistrust and exclusion often felt by Papua’s indigenous Melanesian population.
The resource-rich region was annexed by Jakarta in 1969 and most Papuans feel they have not been given an even share of its natural riches.
The military retains heavy influence in the region and regularly stifles dissent.
After taking office in 2014, president Joko Widodo pledged to speed up development in Papua, but many locals insist they have been forgotten.
“There has been no change,” Ariel Fakdawer, head of Saukabu village in Raja Ampat told AFP.
“The yearly Raja Ampat festival, for example, attracts thousands of tourists but we gain nothing from that. We are still poor, but the organisers of such festivals – the outsiders – they have made a fortune,” he added.
Indigenous groups say they need communication satellites, electricity, better infrastructure, and the right to govern themselves by customary law.
“The authorities never fulfil our needs because they don’t understand what we want,” Mayor said. “I believe they have to approach us by bearing in mind our cultural needs. They have to talk to us indigenous people,” he insisted.
But not everyone is against the rush to open up Raja Ampat to the world.
Villager Medzke Karoswaf explained: “This is a modern world. We cannot live isolated like in a cave forever. We have to be open-minded. Like it or not, we don’t live alone in this world.” – AFP