Thousands hold rally for Riau Islands province<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
Thousands of people marched in separate rallies in Riau on
\nThursday to push their demands for the establishment of a Riau
\nIsland province, forcing many shops to close.<\/p>\n
The protesters separately burned the effigies of top local
\nofficials and senior legislators they blamed for obstructing
\ntheir interests.<\/p>\n
The accused figures in question included Riau Governor Saleh
\nDjasit, speaker of the province's legislative council Chaidir and
\nhis deputy Wan Abubakar, as well as Tabrani Rab, who heads the
\nlocal Regional Autonomy Monitoring Council (DPOD).<\/p>\n
On Batam island, at least 100 people turned out to join a
\nrally organized by the Defense Movement of Riau Island (GBPK).
\nShopkeepers in the main-shopping area of Nagoya on the
\nindustrialized island closed their stores, fearing the protest
\ncould turn violent.<\/p>\n
A similar scene was seen in the island's Batam Center area,
\nwhere some of the shops were also shut down to avoid unforeseen
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
The protesters, led by GBPK leader Ahmad Mipon, demanded that
\nthe central government soon take the necessary measures to
\nendorse the establishment of a Riau Island province that will
\ninclude the regencies of Batam, Natuna, Tanjung Balai Karimun and
\nRiau Island or Tanjungpinang.<\/p>\n
Similar street protests were also held in the four regencies,
\nwhich involved more than 3,000 people in total, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
\"If the House of Representative does not form a consultative
\ncommittee to discuss our demands by May 15, we will continue
\ndemonstrations,\" Mipon threatened.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators in Batam carried a 200-meter long banner and
\nasked passersby to sign it in support of the demand for a new
\nprovince separated from Riau.<\/p>\n
In Tanjungpinang, several local officials, including Riau
\nIsland Regent Huzrin Hood and senior councillors were among those
\ntaking to the streets.<\/p>\n
The protest was marked by the symbolic removal of the logo of
\nRiau province from the shirts of two civil servants in the Riau
\nIsland regency administration.<\/p>\n
However, Thursday's rallies appeared to fail to encourage
\npeople to cease social and economic activities as earlier
\nsuggested by the organizers through their public circulars.<\/p>\n
The circulars, issued last week by the Preparatory Committee
\nfor the Establishment of Riau Island Province, called for shops
\nand other business centers, food stalls and government offices to
\nclose during Thursday's demonstrations.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousands-hold-rally-for-riau-islands-province-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}