Indonesia's new ministers elaborate programs

Indonesia's ministers of the new cabinet inaugurated on Oct. 22 have elaborated their programs in their first 100 working days, local media reported on Friday.

The Minister for Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik has set a target of cutting the "short visa on arrival" service provided at airports and seaports across the country within the first 100 days in office.

He said accelerating the service would improve Indonesia's image as a destination, prompting more tourists to visit the country.

"The new service should not waste time or cause long queues. We have to make it simple," said Jero.

Meanwhile, the new Minister for Communication and Information Tifatul Sembiring said that he is ready to build "100 smart villages" within his first 100 working days.

"My first 100-day program is to build 100 smart villages by deploying 25,000 computers in various regions," said Tifatul.

According to Tifatul, that is one of the programs President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had briefed him as minister for communication and information.

He said that he has targeted to complete the 100 smart villages on January 10, 2010.

Meanwhile, the new State Minister for Environment Gusti Muhammad Hatta said that his office will limit new mining permit as one of the destroying causes on environment is uncontrolled mining activities.

"The number of mining in Indonesia is beyond limitation, so that mining permit in regions should be limited," said the minister.

According to him, coal mining in Kalimantan Island is one of the mining activities whose permit should be limited. Some mines that have been operating for almost 30 years cause damage on forest vegetation in the island.

President Yudhoyono said in his inauguration ceremony on Oct. 20 that he and his Vice President Boediono have set cabinet's programs target for 100 days, one year and five years period.