Madurese want own province

SURABAYA: Religious and community leaders on Madura island have thrown their weight behind local people's demand for a separate province, an influential Muslim cleric said on Monday.

Abdullah Sohal, chief of the Board of Islamic Boarding Schools and Ulemas in Madura (Bassra), said the support was voiced during a meeting between 100 Madurese clerics and Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid here on Sunday.

"The minister welcomed the plan and explained the administrative procedures and all requirements which must be fulfilled, including approval from the House of Representatives," Sohal said.

East Java Governor Imam Utomo has acknowledged that the demand to make the island a province was in line with the government's policy on regional autonomy.

Madura consists of four regencies, namely Sampang, Bangkalan, Pamekasan and Sumenep, and has a 3.1 million population. (nur/edt)