Home ministry to open office in Riau

Home ministry to open office in Riau

PEKANBARU: Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno will soon issue
an instruction on the establishment of a local departmental
office in Riau Islands province, an official says.

Alfitra Salamm, a member of the Regional Autonomy Advisory
Council (DPOD), said that the establishment of the office showed
that the government was making the necessary preparations before
establishing the province, which is considered strategic for a
number of reasons, including its proximity to Singapore.

"The minister will then appoint an official to head the office
after receiving suggestions from the governor of Riau," he said
here on Tuesday.

Alfitra said that Riau Islands province would be a pilot
project for the establishment of further provinces in the future.

The province was set up last year, but it has not yet been
activated. President Megawati Soekarnoputri did not sign the law
establishing the province.

Alfitra added that the new office would be tasked with
preparing the necessary governmental infrastructure and offices
in the province. -- Antara