The ad placed in Singalang Newspaper spells "Marine" incorrectly. This was beyond our control and we would like to thank Mr Martin Daly for pointing out the spelling mistake to MMTA administration. We value contributions from our readers.

Congratulations Un! Anom Suheri has been elected to the new Mentawai Parliament and he was sworn in at a ceremony in Tua Pejat on Monday 31st of August. The new parliament will preside for the period 2009 till 2014. Roberthyl A. Saogo takes over as Chairman of the MMTA. Roberthyl is a Director of PT Bangun Toro Koat and he has represented the company at MMTA meetings for the past 12 months.

IR H. Zola Pandu has taken over the roll of Secretary from Bangun LH. Zola is the Director (Utama) of PT Mentawai Wisata Bahari and the Vice Chairman of the West Sumatran Organic Farmers Association (AFTA)

Both Un and Bangun retain their positions with KARDIN (The Inonesian Chamber of Commerce) 

Chairman of MMTA

• Roberthyl A. Saogo
  Director BTK
  Candidate for Member of Mentawai Parliament 2009
  

Ex Chairman of MMTA and active member

• Anom Suheri (Un)
  Director PT SKM (Kandui Resort)
  Head of the Tourism Division of the West Sumatran Chamber of Commerce (KADIN Sumbar)
  Member of Mentawai Parliament
  

Secretary of MMTA

• IR H. Zola Pandu 
  Director (Utama) PT MWB
  Vice Chairman of AFTA (Organic Farming Association) West Sumatra

Ex Secretary of MMTA and active member

• Bangun LH (Bangun)
  Bangun is Director of PT BTK (Pitojat Resort) and
  Head of the Mentawai Chamber of Commerce (KADIN Mentawai) 

Treasurer MMTA

• Meifriyanti (Yanti)
  Yanti is Director of PT BSM (Mentawai Ocean Resort)

Administration MMTA

• Ade Rahadian
  Ex Secretary of PHRI (Indonesian Hotels & Restaurant Association)
  Tel: 0751 9900169
  Fax: 0751 765010
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Chairman of the MMTA Advisory Board

• Nasdion Chalidi SH. Mkn (Nasdion)
  Nasdion is legal advisor to the MMTA
  Mobile Phone: +62 852 74639872
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Mentawai Marine Tourism Association

During the last few days, there has been a debate in West Sumatra, and Indonesia wide, on whether or not an island can be sold (to foreigners). This topic stemmed out from the news covered by various mass media outlets about allegations that three islands in Mentawai Archipelago had been “sold”, based on ads posted on www.privateislandsonline.com , based in Toronto, Canada. The website explicitly offered the Islands of Siloina, Kandui, and Macaroni, under the tagline ‘Islands for Sale in Indonesia’. Prices labeled for Siloina Island, Macaroni Resort, and Kandui Resort were, respectively, US$ 1, 6 million, US$ 4 million, and US$ 8 million (for 50% share).

Before answering the question raised in the title of this article, it may be helpful to get familiar with marine tourism activities that have taken place in Mentawai up to this point.

APAKAH PULAU DI MENTAWAI BISA DIJUAL?

Oleh : Asosiasi Pariwisata Bahari Mentawai / Mentawai Marine Tourism Association (MMTA)
 
Beberapa hari ini, di Sumatera Barat bahkan di Indonesia terjadi perdebatan ditengah- tengah masyarakat, tentang apakah suatu pulau bisa dijual. Hal ini terjadi akibat pemberitaan dari berbagai media massa  tentang telah dijualnya 3 (tiga ) pulau di gugusan Kepulauan Mentawai , sebagaimana yang terdapat dalam situs : www.privateislandsonline.com yang berkedudukan di Toronto, Kanada. Secara terbuka situs tersebut menawarkan akan menjual Pulau Siloinak, Kandui Island Resort, dan Macaroni Island Resort,  di bawah judul ‘Islands for Sale in Indonesia’. ditawarkan seharga:

• Pulau Silionak US$ 1,6 juta.
• Macaroni Island Resort dijual seharga US$ 4 juta dan
• Kandui Island Resort dihargai US$ 8 juta (50% saham).
  

Sebelum kita menemukan jawaban dari judul tulisan ini, ada baiknya kita mengetahui tentang aktifitas usaha wisata bahari di Mentawai selama ini,  yaitu sebagai berikut :
 
Daerah Kepulauan Mentawai merupakan kawasan yang memiliki potensi besar untuk pengembangan wisata khususnya wisata bahari (marine tourism). Setelah kawasan ini dikenal oleh para peselancar ombak dunia, maka kawasan ini menjadi salah satu tujuan utama bagi peselancar tingkat dunia, diantara peselancar dunia yang pernah datang ke mentawai untuk menjajal kebolehannya adalah Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Taj Borrow, CJ.Hobgood, Mick Fanning, Tom Carrol, Tom Curren dan Andy Irons. Bahkan sampai sekarang sudah puluhan ribu peselancar asing datang kesana menikmati ombak Mentawai yang mempunyai karakteristik tersendiri, dan merupakan potensi yang signifikan, yaitu: 

• Titik-titik ombak yang ada  Mentawai banyak yang berkategori   bagus untuk  Selancar (Surfing)
• Mentawai masih terbilang sepi dan belum terlalu ramai (crowded) sehingga para peselancar ini bisa lebih puas untuk berselancar
• Mentawai masih alami dan belum terkontaminasi oleh kultur barat modern
• Periode musim ombak yang panjang setiap tahunnya