Labuan Bajo Preparations
All stakeholders continue the preparations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
A woman takes a photo of flags of ASEAN countries lined up at the Bintang Flores Hotel, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday (2/5/2023).
LABUAN BAJO, KOMPAS — Various preparations are underway for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on 10 and 11 May. All parties are expected to continue preparing the best service for the guests.
The preparations were observed during a media visit to a number of locations for the ASEAN Summit for two consecutive days, starting Tuesday (2/5/2023). The media visit involved dozens of national and local journalists, organized by the Communications and Information Ministry (Kemenkominfo).
The Communications and Information Ministry’s Public Information and Communication Directorate General secretary, Sumiati, said a number of preparations were being completed. "Overall, [the preparations] are nearly finished in accordancewith the allotted time," she said.
Also read:
> ASEAN is Increasingly Important and Needed
> Stronger Policy Mix Needed to Become Global Growth Epicenter
At the Bintang Flores Hotel, the media center for the ASEAN Summit, a workroom for journalists and a mini studio has been prepared. The committee also designed an open space with a view of the oceanfor key interviews. Information about the course of the ASEAN Summit and information on tourist destinations will be available there.
According to the plan, the heads of state will give press statements in a special room built outside the hotel building. The room can accommodate up to 300 people. Until now, 319 verified domestic and foreign journalists are scheduled to attend.
The next venue is Puncak Waringin. There will be a morning tea banquet for the first ladies at 8 a.m. central Indonesian time (WITA) on Wednesday (10/5). The red carpet corridor and a weaving room are being prepared. Disabled women will demonstrate their weaving skills there.
A number of media crews participated in journalistic visits to a number of places related to the holding of the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday (2/5/2023).
Various NTT woven fabrics will also be showcased at Puncak Waringin, including those that will be worn by the heads of state and the first ladies. Fabrics with the mata manukmotif, which means chickeneye, are woven by mothers from Lembor, West Manggarai regency.
While sipping on morning tea at Puncak Waringin, the first ladies will also enjoy the natural scenery of the hills, the bay and the coast of Labuan Bajo. Puncak Waringin is a favorite location to enjoy the views of the sea, decorated with anchored ships.
"There is a combination of cultural aspects and tourist charm here," said Sumiati.
On the second day of the media visit, on Wednesday (3/5), participants were invited to observe the location that will be the venue for the ASEAN Summit, namely Meruorah Hotel, where the heads of state will meet to discuss various matters with the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.
Also read:
> Bringing ASEAN into the “‘Pockets of Citizens”
Meanwhile, through a written statement, state-owned PT Pelni (Persero) president director Tri Andayani stated that PT Pelni's ship, KM Sinabung, had suspended operations from its regular schedule since 29 April to receive special maintenance so that it is ready to be used as accommodation in Labuan Bajo. The ship will arrive on 6 May.
During its presence in Labuan Bajo, all economy class facilities of the KM Sinabung are prepared to host guests from 6 to 12 May 2023. The accommodation provided is free of charge, with a capacity of 1,906 guests. The presence of the KM Sinabung is to address the high demand for lodging, which is not comparable to the availability of rooms in Labuan Bajo. Many guests had difficulties getting a hotel room, so they had to rent houses at high rates.
There is a combination of cultural aspects and tourist charm here.
Chairman of the West Manggarai Homestay Association, Ludgerius Minus, denied that homestay managers had increased prices. “Our prices are only around Rp 200,000 to Rp 500,000 depending on the facilities. So, no one increased the price multiple times," he said.
According to Ludgerius, there are around 70 members of the association spread across Labuan Bajo, Komodo village, Pasir Panjang village, Liang Ndara village, Cunca Wulang village, Nampar Macing village, Golo Ndaring village, and Wae Sano village.
Workers are preparing a location for the 2023 ASEAN Summit at the Bintang Flores Hotel, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, as on Tuesday (2/5/2023).
Indonesian position
During a media gathering event with the chief editors of the national and local media, and dozens of the media crew in Labuan Bajo on Tuesday night, the Communications and Information Minister Johnny G Plate said Indonesia was taking advantage of the ASEAN chairmanship to boost the economy in cities.
"Hopefully, the impact will also be felt in other areas in NTT," minister Johnny said.
Other speakers at the event were Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko and Tourism and Creative Economy minister’s secretary Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani.
The opportunity of the ASEAN Summit, Johnny added, is also to show the progress of development in Indonesia toattract investment inflow. Officials from member countries will come to bring investors to see investment opportunities in Indonesia.
Also read:
> Regional Dynamics Challenge Growth
Moeldoko hopes that all parties, including the media, will take part in maintaining Indonesia's image as host. He asked the media to report positive information so that guests will take home good impressions of Indonesia to their respective countries.
Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani added that the ASEAN Summit was a great opportunity to introduce Labuan Bajo as a priority destination with the Komodo dragon, an ancient reptile that has survived to this day, as its icon.
Komodo dragons are spread over a number of islands. Data from 2021 shows that the population of Komodo dragons is 1,728 on Komodo Island, 1,385 on Rinca Island, 19 on Padar Island, 81 on Gili Motang Island and 90 on Nusa Kode Island. The total number is 3,303.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his family visited Labuan Bajo on Saturday (22/4). The President, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, came to Labuan Bajo to check the various preparations for the ASEAN Summit.
This article was translated by Kurnia Siswo.
