Thanks God after nine years of longing to see komodo has at last come to reality."Labuan Bajo, East Nusatenggara (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended the inauguration on Friday of the Komodo National Park (TNK) as one of World`s Seven Wonders on the Komodo island, East Nusatengggara.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Bernard Webber, the president of New7Wonders Foundation, `Komodo ambassador` M. Jusuf Kalla and a number of foreign envoys.
Komodo dragons, rare ancient animal species, which are found only on the Komodo island , have been named one of the seven wonders of the world.
Yudhoyono said he was amazed after for the first time physically seeing the ancient animals .
"Thanks God after nine years of longing to see komodo has at last come to reality," he said upon arrival on the island in Manggarai Barat in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.
He said Indonesia, the East Nusa Tenggara people in particular should be proud with the inclusion of komodo as one of new seven wonders of the world.
Jusuf Kalla reflected how he had gone through difficulties to get acknowledgement of komodo one of the world`s seven wonders.
Komodo beat candidates from hundreds of other countries in the world, he said.
Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hassan said the Komodo National Park was already named a a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1991.
The process of inauguration was marked with the handing over of a certificate by Bernard Webber to East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya and the unveiling of the name board .
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and entourage boarded the navy ship the KRI Baladau 643 to visit the Komodo island as part of the Sail Komodo 2013.
(Uu.H-ASG/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
