Madura proposes special economic zone

ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya | Sat, 12/13/2008 11:14 AM | East Java


Ahead of the anticipated completion of the multibillion rupiah Suramadu bridge project, the Madurese are proposing the island be developed into a special economic zone under the authority of the Mudurese to allow it to catch up with the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.

In a meeting with acting governor Setia Purwaka earlier this month, the Madura Development Board representing the island's regional administrations, religious leaders, politicians and informal leaders, hailed the bridge megaproject worth Rp 3 trillion (US$272.7 million) as a chance for the islanders to make changes -- especially economically -- while simultaneously maintaining their traditional, religious culture.

"The government should give the locals incentives to advance in the economic, education, political and environmental fields in order to counter modernization following the bridge's operation," said board spokesman Ahmad Zaini.

"The incentives will become the main capital for the least-developed island."

Asked about the details of the proposed special economic zone, Ahmad said the Madurese did not want special autonomy such as what Aceh had, but had wanted a decentralized government approach so that the island had the authority to make economic decisions which would benefit its inhabitants.

So far, Madura has depended on Surabaya in numerous sectors, including its public infrastructures, power and clean water, he said.

There are four regencies on the island: Bangkalan, Pamekasan, Sampang and Sumenep.

The bridge project, which began in 2000 but was suspended several times due to financial reasons, is expected to be completed in March and to begin operating in April.

The idea for the bridge was suggested by construction expert Sedyatmo in 1960.

The interisland bridge connects Surabaya's Ujung Pier with Ujung Kamal in Bangkalan, Madura, hence the name Suramadu which comes from Surabaya and Madura.

It is expected to facilitate transportation to and from Madura, encourage a rush of urbanization, speed up industrial development and attract more investors to the island.

Salamah Cholil, a board member and religious leader in Bangkalan, expressed fear that modernization would damage the Madurese culture and this was why the Madurese clerics had opposed the project in the past.

With modernization, the Madure people might no longer send their children to the mushrooming pesantren or Islamic boarding schools on the island which have been seen as the only answer to the island's poor education system, he said.

Ahmad said the board would continue to campaign for the bridge and its benefits for the island.

Setia appreciated the board's support for the project which he said would make major changes on the island.

The four regencies should put their weight behind the provincial government's plan to revise the province's spatial zoning which will support the island's economic development, he said.