September 08, 2011
Ambon. Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu says he will soon form a team to study moving the provincial capital from Ambon to Seram island.
“In the near future we will form the team whose members are academics from Pattimura University, Darusalam University, Maluku Indonesian Christian University and Ambon State Islamic Institute,” the governor said in Ambon on Thursday.
Ralahalu said Masohi was an ideal to replace Ambon because it has an extensive area and was easily accessible from every district in the province.
Nice Voice Maluku Institute Director Agus Siahaya, speaking on Tuesday, said the move would be a step forward for the province and help to alleviate overcrowding in Ambon.
He said the relocation of the provincial capital was inevitable because the carrying capacity of Ambon city is no longer proportional to the ever increasing population growth and limited employment opportunities.
“In the next five years the population increase cannot be controlled any longer, and with the present condition of Ambon city I think the relocation of the provincial capital is very urgent and should be done immediately,” Agus Siahaya said.
He said the proposed relocation would also have a positive impact on the process of equitable development in “The Province of One Thousand Islands.”
“With its extensive area, Masohi is ideal to replace Ambon as capital of Maluku province,” Diahaya said, adding that Ambon could be turned into an economic center and city of education in the province.
The discourse of turning Masohi as provincial capital was first voiced by Indonesian founding father Sukarno when declaring it the capital of Central Maluku district in 1957.
(also x the JG)
do 8 sep 2011 - 17:52