World Report

Sleman

Ibnu Subiyanto
Bupati of Kabupaten Sleman
‘Next year we want to build a museum of volcanology’

leman is one of the five kabupatens in the special province of Yogyakarta. It is located on the north side of the province close to the Merapi volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

The Bupati of Sleman, Ibnu Subiyanto, is attempting to build a tourist industry that is both ethical and environmentally sustainable. “When we build a tourist attraction in Sleman, we try to design it based on environmental principles. For example, we are building a tower from which people can observe the volcanic activity of Mount Merapi. We will also build a hiking area around the mountain, a camping area and youth hostels,” he explains.

“Currently there is high demand for hotels and I want to build facilities around the village, such as accommodation for pensioners. Next year we want to build a museum of volcanology in Kali Urang. This will cost more than £6 million.”

The volcano museum itself will be built by the central government. The investments planned by Bupati Subiyanto could cost approximately £2 million. But these are not grandiose schemes. He is also encouraging the development of simple bed and breakfast accommodation for eco-tourists.

“Many people are now living in our villages because we offer them as tourist destinations. We are trying to develop them for long-term stays. We want to build a village for retired people on the slopes of Merapi. The target markets are Japan and Holland. Many people there have connections with Indonesia because of our shared history.”
Most of all, Mr Subiyanto hopes that the development of his kabupaten will improve the welfare of his citizens. He sends his staff abroad to study English and Japanese, and to learn how to use the Internet. “My programme is to communicate my policies to all of the people at grassroots level.”