Sandiaga Says Ex-mining Land isn’t a Disaster

Perlang – Minister of tourism and creative economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno visited Perlang village in Lubuk Besar district, Bangka Tengah regency on Thursday (11/08/2022).

Accompanied by the acting governor of Bangka Belitung Ridwan Djamalludin, the acting head of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports office Herwanita, Bangka Tengah regent’s wife Eva Algafri, Sandiaga inaugurated Perlang as the nation’s top 50^th best revival tourist village on the Indonesia Tourist Villages Awards (ADWI) 2022. This village offers Pading pond, Gusong Perlang, Sadap waterfall, and various creative economy products such as sugar palm, craft, and traditional musical instruments such as Dambus.

Its icon, Pading pond, is viral on social media. It is an ex-open pit tin mining surrounding with spread of white sand. Visitors can enjoy its clear water with a natural hill background on rented boats.

Sandiaga said that he was amazed at the village and people’s enthusiasm to show that the pond is the main support of the village to be in the top 50.

“The judges are pleased to re-assess it for the next category. Please note that ex-mining land is not a disaster. It can be a blessing if it is well managed. I hope it can inspire all of us,” he said.

He was also impressed by the creativity of Perlang youths in managing products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). He said further that tourism and creative economy sector has created many job opportunities. Tourism and creative economy sector grew, so did MSME.

“Therefore, people’s income will increase if we focus on qualified and sustainable development which has a straight impact on the local economy. We want to create 1.1 million new job opportunities this year and 4.4 million in 2024 through this tourism village program. It accords with the president’s instruction to increase people’s welfare by providing job opportunities,” he added.

He continued that his ministry had supported the potential of Perlang, so far through tourism management training, assistance, and program improvement.

“We bring these products to Jakarta. We’ll display them and make some digital marketing,” he said.

On that occasion, Sandiaga is also scheduled to visit to Hidayatussalikin Islamic boarding school in Pangkalpinang to launch product from santripreneur program. (RZ/SAS/ZE)