If it`s successful, Flores will become the second Bali. This region will be famous, ad people will stay in Flores, not on other islands. The whole world will know, and NTT, which is now the poorest region, will improve in term of its people`s welfareKomodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) (ANTARA News) - Former Vice President M Jusuf Kalla has called on Indonesian people to send short text messages (SMS) by mobile phones for the inclusion of Komodo Island into the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN) list.
"The chance is still wide open. Around 100 SMS are still needed," Kalla said here on Tuesday.
Despite the tourism and culture ministry`s decision to withdraw the island from the N7WN competition, the Komodo Island ranked in 24th place in the N7WN list.
The text message voting will continue until November 11, 2011. "Vote Komodo for Indonesia. Type `komodo` and send it to 9818 to cast your vote," Kalla said.
He is optimistic that if the Indonesian people give their support, Komodo Island will win.
"There are 150 million mobile phone users in Indonesia. We still have 40 days. So, 25 million people sending text messages will be enough," he said.
During Idul Fitri Muslim Holiday early September 2011, around one billion short text messages of greeting were sent within a week, he said.
The inclusion of Komodo Island in the New Seven Wonders would be beneficial economically to Indonesia and Flores Island in particular, he said.
"If it`s successful, Flores will become the second Bali. This region will be famous, ad people will stay in Flores, not on other islands. The whole world will know, and NTT, which is now the poorest region, will improve in term of its people`s welfare," he said.
Kalla, who has been appointed as the ambassador of Komodo Island, also called on the media to help promote Komodo Island.
The island is part of Komodo National Park and is especially known for its nativ13:16e Komodo Dragon - the world`s largest living lizard. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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