Isolated Maluku regency seeks to pave its way to wealth

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

East Seram, a four-year-old regency in Maluku, is developing land and sea transportation with the aim of escaping isolation, jump starting development and addressing widespread poverty.

Over the past four years, almost 80 percent of a 528-kilometer highway traversing Seram Island has been finished and the rest is slated for completion within the fiscal year.

"The regency's economy is maturing as subdistricts and villages are becoming connected and more farmland in the regency is under irrigation. More people travel to the provincial capital in Ambon and to other provinces now. And more traders are reaching the locals (in remote areas)," East Seram regent Abdullah Vanath told The Jakarta Post.

Asked why his administration had prioritized infrastructure development, Abdullah said without better infrastructure it wasn't possible to combat poverty.

When it was created, pursuant to the regional autonomy law in 2004, the regency had a total of 3.5 kilometers of asphalted road.

Even today the vast majority of population lives in poverty.

"Like other people, my family was also poor.

"Few people went beyond elementary school because you have to move to Ambon if you want to go high school or university," said Abdullah, citing a 2007 survey which found 78 percent of the population of 17,000 was living below the poverty line.

"My great desire is to complete the ongoing development of the infrastructure before my term ends in 2009 so that by 2010 the regency can start catching up with other regencies in Maluku and other provinces in the eastern part of the country."

Abdullah said, despite the high poverty rate in the regency, he was optimistic the main social problems would gradually be solved.

"Following the development of infrastructure and other facilities such as hotels and ports, investors will come to help explore the rich natural resources and people will seek better livelihoods, send their children to school and live modern lives."

The regency has considerable economic potential due to an abundance of natural resources such as timber, oil and gas. However, geographic isolation from international markets prevents exploitation.

Besides the geographical disadvantages, unpredictable climate conditions hinder farming and fishing.

Inadequate rainfall frequently limits harvests to one a year while stormy seas keep fishing boats from going to sea for long periods.

Sea passage to East Seram can be as difficult as the route overland.

Weeks may go by without the arrival of a cargo or passenger boat -- or even months during periods of bad weather.

Abdullah said that government as well as the people had to work harder to improve life in such a rugged, isolated place. However, he said, progress was just a matter of time.

The formation of the regency was hardly noticed by investors because of the absence of modern infrastructure. Meanwhile, construction materials and the most basic commodities can be extremely expensive due to transportation premiums.

Abdullah, who previously held a senior position in the Maluku provincial government, acknowledged that mismanagement had also affected development. He said a certain part of the development budget had "leaked out" due to weak oversight and law enforcement.

"Several local officials, including the chief of the local public works ministry office, have been declared suspects in a road construction graft case and they will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Law enforcement is a must if we want to create good governance."