Matara, W Nusa Tenggara, (ANTARA News) - Senior minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan took part in the Asian Games 2018 Torch Relay from Ampenan beach to the old town here on Wednesday.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor TGH Muhammad Zainul Majdi accompanied him as thousands of people turned up at the beach and along the route to watch the relay.

The torch arrived at Lombok International Airpirt at 7.45 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time on board Air Force Hercules.

After being received by the provincial government as well as the airport officials, the torch was paraded to Mandalika Special Economic Zone guarded by hundreds of police officers.

From Mandalika, it was then taken to Ampenan beach and paraded in the city before arriving at the governor`s office.

Panjaitan stated that all preparations for the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta have been carried out well.

"Today, we saw the relay on the island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This, I think, is a very important moment for the governor, who would soon end his term of office," he remarked.

"West Nusa Tenggara must be grateful that one of its athletes, Muhammaf Zohri, representing Indonesia has recently won a world U-20 sprint champion title. It was an extraordinary achievement, and the people of the province must be proud of him," he explained.

West Nusa Tenggara is one of the 18 provinces included in the relay, while its capital Mataram is one of 54 cities passed by the relay.

The relay started with the lighting of the torch using an eternal fire source in India on July 15, before being fused with the eternal fire in Mrapen, Central Java, on July 18.

The Asian biggest sporting event is scheduled to be carried out in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, from Aug 18 to Sept 2.

Reporting by Awaludin

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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