Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Says Spatial Planning Is Key to Developing Riau Islands' Potential
Deputy Home Affairs Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has asserted that sound spatial planning is the key to developing the various potentials in the Riau Islands Province (Kepri). Bima assessed that spatial planning needs to be supported by strong coordination, including efforts to mitigate land conflicts, so that development can proceed optimally and sustainably. “Of course, we must ensure the spatial planning is under control, and we work on it together as a source of regional income,” Bima said in a statement on Wednesday (8/7/2026).
This was conveyed during a Specific Working Visit of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) regarding the Role of the Governor as the Central Government Representative in the Regions (GWPP) held at Graha Kepri, Batam City. Bima further revealed that Kepri consists mostly of waters, with only a small portion being land. However, Kepri has great potential in various sectors, ranging from manufacturing, trade, maritime affairs, and natural resources to history-based tourism.
Bima stressed that the homework to be scrutinised is ensuring the optimal utilisation of the limited land space. In addition, there are four challenges that need the attention of the regional government in Kepri, namely environmental degradation, vulnerability to disasters, spatial planning conflicts, and the high influx of residents, particularly in Batam. In this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs together with Commission II of the DPR RI will ensure that various regional regulations are aligned with the potential and challenges faced by Kepri.
“We are scrutinising this carefully. Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in this case with the Chairman of Commission II of the DPR, is ensuring that all regional regulations related to APBD planning take into account these potential factors and challenges. The regulations exist, and we are also ensuring they are synchronised,” he explained. Bima further emphasised that besides its economic potential, Kepri also possesses historical and cultural value that distinguishes it from other regions. Kepri, particularly Penyengat Island, is an important centre of Malay culture and the birthplace of Raja Ali Haji, the figure who compiled the guidelines for the Indonesian language and authored Gurindam Dua Belas.
Because of this, Bima appreciated the Provincial Government’s plan to build a language museum on Penyengat Island as an effort to strengthen historical tourism appeal. “This region was the centre of the Riau Kingdom’s government since the 1800s. So it has a long history, a centre of Malay culture, there is Raja Ali Haji, and so on. Therefore, I feel the Ministry of Home Affairs together with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Tourism will jointly support this,” he stated. In addition to historical tourism, Bima also encouraged Kepri to develop the growing sport tourism sector. He believes Batam and other areas in Kepri have the potential to host various national and international sporting events that can increase tourist visits while boosting locally-generated revenue. “I am sure, if Batam, Kepri, develops sport tourism, there is triathlon, later there will be marathon stars. This will be extraordinary,” he concluded.