VP calls on Maluku people to face future with confidence

"Let us face the future with a feeling of harmony and optimism, and revive our dream of beautiful Maluku which was known as the attractive spice islands," Kalla said at the opening of a Maluku Customary Leaders` Conference here on Monday.

The two-day conference was organized as an effort to recast the image and identity of Maluku people in the framework of archipelagic integrity.

Kalla said with the positive wisdom, culture and tradition, a harmonious situation could be created in Maluku which had been ravaged by sectarian conflict for three years.

"With our positive culture and tradition we can make Maluku compete with other provinces in the country," the vice president said, adding that the local culture and tradition should motivate the province to attain greater progress in the future.