Taiwan Investors Keen to Develop Morotai Island

Taipei (Antara) - The Morotai Island of North Maluku and Taiwan are keen to develop the island and bring it on par with Singapore, according to a Taiwanese official. "We are always reminded of the dramatic story of Lee Guang-Hui, better known as Teruo Nakamura, a Taiwan-born soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army, who fought for Japan in World War II in Morotai," said Taiwanese official for the Asia Pacific Department Charles L Li on Wednesday. According to Charles Li, Lee Guan-Hui was born in Taiwan on October 8, 1919, and was the last known Japanese soldier to surrender in Morotai in 1974. "Therefore, Taiwanese investors are keen to visit Morotai and develop mega projects on the island," he noted. He added that Taiwanese investors want to develop the airport, seaport, and other infrastructure in Morotai and make the island a centre of excellence for the tourism and fishery industry. Charles Li said Taiwanese investors would like to help Indonesia develop Morotai Island into a free trade zone like Batam Island in the western part of Indonesia. (*) (Reported by Akhmad Kusaeni; Edited by Otniel Tamindael)