Lake Sentani Festival National Asset

Sentani (Antara Bali) - Lake Sentani cultural festival that will kick off on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 is a national asset, Cenderawasih Military Commander May. Gen. Christian Zebua said.

"It is a national asset and an important event for the people of Papua because it deals with the issue of cultural identity of the community," Christian said here on Wednesday.

The Cenderawasih military commander noted that he would make every effort to ensure the security and order during the sixth ever festival that will last from June 19-23.

"Such a cultural festival has a very big potential and we hope in the future we can work hard and cooperate to make it in parallel with the event in Raja Ampat, or Bali cultural festival," he said.

In the run up to Lake Sentani Festival, some 3000 TNI personnel under Cenderawasih Military Command were mobilized to clean up Khalkote tourist beach where the festival will take place.

Christian said the move was as a form of TNI support for the local government to make the national tourism event in Papua a great success.

"Therefore we ask all people of Papua to support Lake Sentani Festival, intended to promote tourism potentials, and to preserve and introduce typical traditional arts and culture of Jayapura district in particular and Papua province in general," he said. (*/DWA)