Steven Kandouw, candidate number three in the North Sulawesi gubernatorial election, appears in a political debate. Doc: source for JPNN.
jpnn.comMANADO – In the first debate of the 2024 North Sulawesi (Sulut) Governor Election (Pilgub), an interesting moment occurred which showed Elly Engelbert Lasut’s sharpness and experience in understanding important issues for North Sulawesi.
Governor candidate number 2, Elly Lasut, asked in-depth questions regarding the problems of the special economic zone (KEK) for tourism and mining in North Minahasa.
However, Steven Kandouw, candidate number 3, failed to understand the essence of the question and gave the wrong answer.
Elly Lasut, who is known to have a strategic vision for North Sulawesi, raised the issue of delays in the realization of tourism SEZs and poor management of Community Mining Areas (WPR). He emphasized the importance of choosing priorities between handling mining or developing green tourism areas.
“Isn’t this the part that attracts and even repels? So what are your steps? Which must be addressed first, is it handling mining or special economic areas for tourism?” Elly asked firmly.
Steven Kandouw instead answered with a biased and indecisive statement. Steven said that the two sectors, namely tourism in Likupang and mining in Minahasa, could be run simultaneously. He believes that as long as regulations are obeyed and the community is helped, there is no problem in carrying out both.
However, this answer received a response from Elly Lasut. According to Elly, Steven Kandouw’s answer ignores the conflict that exists between tourism issues and environmental damage due to mining activities. Issues of landslides, floods and natural damage are not in line with efforts to promote green tourism areas.
“The concept I hope for is a green economy with selective logging and reforestation solutions. This allows mining to continue without sacrificing natural sustainability and the beauty of tourist areas,” said Elly Lasut.
North Sulawesi Gubernatorial Candidate Steven Kandouw failed to understand Elly Lasut’s question in the first gubernatorial election debate.