REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TERNATE - At least 100 veterans of World War II (WWII) from US, Australia, and Japan will attend the highlight of Sail Morotai in North Maluku on the upcoming September 15. They were invited by North Maluku Provincial Government, the Governor of North Maluku Thaib Armiyn said on Friday.
The veterans were in duty in Morotai and other regions in North Maluku, such as North Halmahera. During WWII Morotai was an allied base in Asia Pacific to fight against Japan. Provincial government has prepared the transportation, accommodation, and other service for veterans during their visit in Morotai.
"Their visit is expected to promote the existence of Morotai Island as historical tourism object in North Maluku to the world," he said.
North Maluku also has built the museum of WWII to be officially opened on the highlight of Sail Morotai. The museum provides the information and heritage of WWII in Morotai.
Morotai Island also has other tourism objects related to WWII, such as Sum-sum Island and Dodola Island. Sum-sum Island is a beautiful desert island where Gen. Mac Arthur, the chief of allied force, liked to unwind.