Nelson Obet Matar, the deputy chairman of the local People`s Representatives Council, said here on Monday the foundation was unprofessional, inconsistent, and not transparent, so that it forced the Indonesian government to withdraw the Komodo National Park from participation in the final evaluation round in the competition for the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN) title.
The foundation was business oriented although it had claimed to be non-profit, he stated.
The Indonesian people and international voters felt hurt because the government has to withdraw the Komodo National Park from the N7WN voting, according to him.
The Komodo National Park is currently in the seventh position of the 28 finalists in the N7W.
He called on people not to be affected by the government`s decision and continue giving their votes for the Komodo National Park.
Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, when announcing the decision here on Monday, also accused the competition`s organizer, the New 7 Wonders (N7W) Foundation, of having been unprofessional, inconsistent and not transparent.
In August 2008, the ministry of tourism and culture became the official supporting committee (OSC)/Lead Agency to suppor the TNK to be selected as one of the new world`s seven wonders which is done through on-line voting.
In a further progress polemic emerged after the N7W Foundation expressed agreement early in December 2010 for Indonesia in this case Jakarta to become the official host for the Declaration of the new World 7 Wonders.
The committee however later required the Indonesian government to pay a license fee for being the host of the event totaling US$10 million and prepare another US$35 million to pay for the cost of the organization of the event. The culture and tourism ministry has refused to pay the money. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
