President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday chaired a meeting at his office to discuss development of Nipah Island on the border with Singapore, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said.
Speaking to the press before attending the meeting, Sudarsono said besides Nipah island`s development, the president and a number of cabinet ministers would also discuss matters related to the country`s outermost borders.
Present at the meeting were among others Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, acting Coordinating Minister for Economy Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, and National Police Chief Gen Bambang Hendarso Danuri.
The government had since 2004 drawn up a master plan on Nipah island`s development for security and economic purposes.
The government was now planning to build a number of public facilities on Nipah Island, including a pier , plaza and monument, an integrated security post, mangrove and marine biota observation center, and a fishermen`s shelter.
The facilities would be constructed in accordance with the needs of visitors to the island which is located on the edge of a sea lane through which 50,000 merchant ships pass every year. (*)
