President Expected to Sign Decree on Sail Tomini 2015

Palu, Central Sulawesi (Antara) - Indonesian Marine Board (DEKIN) Secretary Dedy H. Sutisna was optimistic that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would soon sign the draft of the Presidential Decree on the stipulation of Central Sulawesi to host Sail Tomini 2015. "We hope President Yudhoyono will soon sign the decree on Sail Tomini 2015 before he ends his tenure on October 20, 2014," Dedi stated when telephonically contacted from here on Monday. He was hopeful that Sail Tomini 2015 will be held in Tomini Bay, tje Indonesia's largest bay with the potential to become a world marine tourism destination in Central Sulawesi. Dedy noted that the Sail Tomini 2015 event will showcase the biodiversity of Tomini Bay to the world. He emphasized that the cultural diversity of Central Sulawesi and its underwater panoramas could make Tomini Bay, situated in the coral triangle, a prime tourist attraction. Sail Tomini was originally scheduled to be held in 2014, but the event was shifted to Raja Ampat in West Papua. Dedy remarked that before President Yudhoyono signs the decree on Sail Tomini 2015, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo has issued an interim measure on the stipulation of Central Sulawesi to host the international maritime event in 2015. "Therefore, there is no need to worry that Sail Tomini 2015 will be delayed again or switched to another region," the Marine Board secretary explained. Dedy revealed that the officials of the Central Sulawesi government such as the governor and deputy governor, district heads, and local Marine and Fisheries Department officials have been actively making preparations for the event. "Preparations are underway to make Sail Tomini 2015 a great success," stated Dedy while urging Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola to immediately form a provincial committee for the event by involving the provinces of Gorontalo and North Sulawesi. (*)