Many Regions Want to Host Sail Indonesia: Minister

Waisai, West Papua (Antara) - Many regions in Indonesia have offered to host the international Sail Indonesia event for their own welfare, according to Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, Agung Laksono. "The annual Sail Indonesia event has proved that it can improve people's economy and welfare, and therefore Gorontalo, Lombok, Karimata, and many other regions have offered to host such an event," the minister said during the peak event of Sail Raja Ampat 2014 in Raja Ampat district town of Waisai, Saturday. The proposals were addressed to President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to pass on to the President-elect, Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, Laksono said. So, in his opening address to mark the peak event of Sail Raja Ampat, President Yudhoyono said he would pass the proposals on to Jokowi. "I am certain that the next government will pay attention to the proposal of hosting the Sail Indonesia event for the betterment of our nation and country in the future," Yudhoyono remarked. The main event of Sail Raja Ampat is enlivened by a colossal dance, performed by Raja Ampat students and the noted singer, Edo Kondologit, of West Papua origin. Sail Raja Ampat 2014 is the sixth of its kind and the last that President Yudhoyono attended after Sail Bunaken 2009, Sail Banda 2010 and Sail Wakatobi-Belitung 2011 along with Sail Morotai 2012, and Sail Komodo 2013. (*)