Home Affairs Minister pushes for more equitable economic growth across all regencies and cities in the Riau Islands
The average level of economic activity in the Riau Islands is high, but inter-regency and inter-city economic growth remains uneven. Tanjungpinang — Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian urged more equitable economic development across all regencies and cities in the Riau Islands Province (Kepri) to prevent growth from being concentrated in only a few areas.
Tito pointed out that, to date, Kepri’s economic growth has been anchored by three regencies/cities—Bintan, Karimun and Batam—relying on industrial zones.
“Average economic activity in Kepri is indeed high, but growth between the regencies and cities remains uneven,” he said at the closing of the Kepri Ramadhan Fair (KURMA) 2026 at Gurindam 12 Park in Tanjungpinang on Sunday.
He described this as a challenge for Kepri Governor Ansar Ahmad and his administration to ensure that the growth of the Malay homeland is felt by archipelago districts such as Natuna, Anambas, Lingga and including Tanjungpinang.
Growth in these four districts was not as fast as in Bintan, Karimun and Batam.
According to Tito, Kepri is the archipelagic region with roughly 96 percent of its geography being sea. Its location is highly strategic because it borders Singapore and Malaysia.
“Singapore is a prosperous country with high purchasing power. This presents an opportunity for the governor to attract residents of that neighbouring country to shop in Kepri, in addition to Johor Bahru,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, head of the National Statistics Agency (BPS RI), appreciated Kepri’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, which reached 7.89 percent, above the national figure of 5.39 percent.
Amalia noted that Kepri’s economy last year was the highest on Sumatra and third nationally.
“Amid strong growth, inflation in Kepri has remained well controlled despite being archipelagic. The prices of essential goods remain well controlled,” Amalia said.
In addition to the economy, Amalia added that the poverty rate in Kepri as of September 2025 fell to 4.62 percent, well below the national poverty rate of 8.25 percent.
The central government appreciates the various breakthroughs implemented by the Kepri Provincial Government together with regencies/cities and all parties in boosting economic growth and residents’ welfare.