On JK’s proposal for tourism
July 9th, 2008
What is going on in the mindset of some politicians? Is it just naivity? Vice President Jusuf Kalla suggestion printed in The Jakarta Post on July 5 to turn Lombok into an Islamic resort free of beer and alcohol is definitely a great new subject for the TV show Republik Mimpi.
In other words, our vice president wants to ruin the tourism industry in Lombok. An informed person knows, the majority of tourists from the Middle Eastern countries go overseas to enjoy exactly what they do not find at home.
The religious guests from the Middle East were as well encouraged by Kalla some time ago to enter contractual marriages in Indonesia, a very Islamic credential indeed.
What Lombok needs to promote tourism is better access, like direct international flights.
If Lombok becomes an Islamic resort the island will be more deserted. The next step would of course be the establishment of sharia law on Lombok and soon after in the rest of Indonesia.
The article did not mention that an Islamic resort would as well introduce strict Islamic swimsuit outfits. Other tourists, who might be by accident on the island, will have to follow the rules so as not to offend the pilgrims at the Mecca resort.
Seems we start to know more and more about the true intentions of some of our politicians and why radicals Islamic groups have a free hand in our country.
Indonesia seems to be going from a nice Asian country with a great culture along the path of Malaysia and Pakistan. The image of Indonesia is being damaged. God save Indonesia.
HERDI SENO
Jakarta
Source: The Jakarta Post
Entry Filed under: World Tourism News
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