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