Indonesia to Certify 47 Outer Islands This Year

Jakarta, Feb 2 Antara) - The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and National Land Office said 47 outer islands would be certified this year to confirm Indonesian sovereignty over the islands. "There are 92 outer islands and all have been surveyed , but 47 of them have yet to be given the certificate this year," a deputy at the ministry Doddy Imron Cholid told reporters here on Monday. Some of the 47 islands located in 8 regencies are uninhabited, Doddy said. The certificates would be given to the inhabitants and to the district administrations of the uninhabited islands. "The 47 islands include those still are in dispute with neighboring countries," he said. He said the certification would be followed with registration of the islands at the International Court to prevent claim by other countries in the future. Minister for Agrarian Affairs and Head of National Land Office Ferry Mursyidan Baldan said the certification of the islands is aimed at confirming the integration of the archipelago. "This will prevent potential conflict with other countries which want to claim over the islands," Ferry said. President Joko Widodo gives special attention to certification of the outer islands, "which are known not only to be beautiful but also have potential natural resources," he said. He said electrification of the 47 islands would be completed when the country commemorates its independent day on August 17.