Kuansing Pacu Jalur Festival Begins, 857 Police Personnel Deployed for Security
The Pacu Jalur Tepian Narosa Festival in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) has returned. Riau Regional Police have deployed 857 personnel to ensure the security of this Kuansing cultural event.
Security preparations were marked by a troop deployment ceremony for the 2026 Pacu Jalur Tepian Narosa security operation held at Astaka Field, Kuansing Regency, on Tuesday (18/8/2026). The ceremony was led by Riau Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Hengki Haryadi and attended by senior Riau Police officials, Kuansing Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana, as well as local community and customary leaders.
Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Hengki Haryadi stated that Pacu Jalur is not merely a competition, but a cultural heritage and people’s festival that has become the identity of the Kuantan Singingi community. This tradition, which has developed over centuries, holds historical, social, mutual cooperation and solidarity values, and is an important part of life for communities along the Kuantan River.
“Pacu Jalur is essentially inseparable from the history of community life, which has long had a close connection with the river as a space for living, mobility, social interaction, and a centre of cultural development,” said Brigadier General Hengki on Tuesday (19/8/2026).
The 2026 Pacu Jalur Festival began on 1 August. However, its peak will take place over five days, from 19–23 August 2026, under the theme ‘Budaya Lestari, Ekonomi Berseri’ (Culture Endures, Economy Shines).
To ensure the entire series of events runs safely and smoothly, the police have prepared integrated security together with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and local government.
“This approach is part of the police’s commitment to ensuring the festival can take place safely, orderly and conducively, so that the public and tourists can enjoy this cultural event with a sense of safety and comfort,” he added.
In support of the Pacu Jalur cultural festival, Riau Regional Police carried out a regional operation codenamed ‘Operation PETI Merah Putih Kuantan’. The operation, held from 1–14 August 2026, was a law enforcement effort against illegal gold mining activities, while also supporting the preservation of the Kuantan River, which serves as the Pacu Jalur arena.
In Operation PETI Kuantan Merah Putih Presisi 2026, Riau Regional Police together with Kuansing Police uncovered eight cases with 17 suspects operating at 55 locations. A total of 525 illegal mining rafts were destroyed during the operation.
The enforcement is part of efforts to maintain security while protecting natural resources and the environment from illegal mining activities that have the potential to cause ecological damage as well as long-term social and economic impacts.