Former Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin said here on Monday, Berhala Island`s status as part of Jambi province was affirmed in a Home Affairs Minister`s decree signed last week.
"I have just met with Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi who said that the decree on the status of Berhala island was sighed a few days ago," Zulkifli said.
According to the former Jambi governor, because he himself had always been a persistent advocate of Jambi province`s rights to Berhala Island, the home affairs minister had personally told him the good news that the island had officially become part of Jambi province.
Zulkifli said the struggle of Jambi province to regain Berhala island was appreciated by the Home Affairs Ministry by handing back the island to the province.
Following the decision, Zulkifli said that although he was no longer Jambi governor, he would continue to help the provincial government maintain the status of Berhala island.
"Together with the people of Jambi, let us continue to develop our province, including our new area namely Berhala island," Zulkifli said.
Meanwhile, Jambi provincial government spokesman Syahrasaddin said he had also heard the news about the status of Berhala island but there had been no formal legal fact in the form of a home affairs minister`s decree about it.
Syahrasaddin said Jambi governor would make an official statement when the formal legal fact about the handing of Berhala island to Jambi province was issued.
(Uu.O001/A/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
