The Indonesian government is currently encouraging the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in various regions in Indonesia. The aim is to attract more foreign investors to Indonesia. It is recorded there are 12 SEZs that are currently being built including Tourism SEZ in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Tanjung Kelayang, Bangka Belitung Islands. However, related to the development of tourism SEZ, the Government of Indonesia was asked to be aware of the emergence of social and cultural issues due to the exclusivity of the economic activities by foreign investors in the region. The social and cultural issues will certainly be a problem for those in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), including investors and tourists who visit there. This was stated by the Researcher of the Center for Economic Research at Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Maxensius Tri Sambodo in a media briefing related to studies at the Mandalika and Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zones, Tuesday, August 28, 2018 in Jakarta.

"I had read the Special Economic Zones reference in India, Tourism Special Economic Zones. So it turns out that the Special Tourism Zone would be opposed by the Indians. Because what they feel is that there is an uninclusive enclave for them, high class people enter, they only see the laughters and so on. So, there is a contradiction. It might happen in Indonesia. They see this, how come the people can enter the area? What benefits can the periphery community get from this special zone? This is what we are worried about, because before that, tourism SEZ was special economic zone with social culture issues. Because we are different in nature from the industry. The social culture issue is already crowded. So the investors are not interested in it anymore. What for? So we hope tourists will come again, come again, just like in Bali, said Maxensius.

Maxensius added the Indonesian Government was asked to involve the local communities in economic activities in the SEZ to avoid social and cultural problems. Furthermore, Maxensius said, the success or the failure of tourism SEZ development also requires the role of science and technology and innovation from the local communities. The role of science and technology and innovation is very large to build uniqueness. According to Maxensius, if a Special Economic Zone-SEZ area grows, it automatically needs food supply through the agricultural sector. To open agricultural land certainly needs technology. In addition, aspects of potential disasters and security of tourism facilities must also be considered. So that the safety of visitors are guaranteed in various conditions. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)