Separate Riau province demanded<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA: Some 50 people claiming to represent the
\ninhabitants of the Riau islands rallied at a roundabout in front
\nof the state Gadjah Mada University here on Saturday to urge the
\ngovernment to establish a separate province for the archipelago.<\/p>\n
Located east of Sumatra and south of Singapore, the group of
\nislands are currently part of Riau province, which stretches
\nbetween North Sumatra and Jambi provinces. Its capital city is
\nPekanbaru.<\/p>\n
One of the protesters, Masiswanto, said there was no reason
\nfor the Riau provincial administration to reject the demands for
\nthe establishment of a new province.<\/p>\n
He said a special committee set up by the provincial
\nadministration to study the aspiration and an independent team
\nfor regional autonomy had concluded that the islands were ready
\nto become a province.<\/p>\n
The protest organizer, group chairman Said Fadillah said Riau
\nwas too large to control. This has led to the poaching of fish
\nworth trillions of rupiah annually, he added.<\/p>\n
Secretary general of the group Riowanto dismissed allegations
\nthat the demand was being voiced to thwart public calls for
\nindependence for Riau. (23\/lup)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/separate-riau-province-demanded-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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