New Bridge in Pelalawan Ends Schoolchildren's Perilous Journeys
Residents of Dusun 2, Ransang Village, Pelalawan, Riau, have expressed their gratitude for the construction of the Merah Putih Presisi Bridge. Their long-held hope for safe access was realised with the inauguration of the Riau Police’s Merah Putih Presisi Phase II bridge. The bridge was inaugurated simultaneously across all Riau Police jurisdictions, led centrally by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo from Dumai City on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. The Pelalawan Police participated in the inauguration ceremony online directly from the new bridge site in Ransang Village.
Pelalawan Police Chief AKBP John Louis Letedara stated that the bridge fulfils a critical need for local children, who will no longer have to take long, dangerous detours to get an education. Previously, children and residents had to travel a much longer route and often risked their lives crossing unsafe paths to attend school and earn a living. The presence of the sturdy Merah Putih Presisi Bridge has completely transformed Ransang Village, making access to education closer, more comfortable, and safer. The new economic artery is also expected to accelerate the distribution of agricultural produce and boost the local economy, while enabling residents to access health services more quickly.
In his speech, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan emphasised that infrastructure development in isolated areas is key to economic equality. He noted that the construction of 80 Merah Putih Presisi bridges in Phase II by the Riau Police is a concrete step to accelerate equitable connectivity in rural areas. The infrastructure was completed to coincide with and serve as a gift for the 80th Bhayangkara Day, bringing the total programme to 110 bridges across Riau. Through this programme, the National Police has demonstrated its role extends beyond maintaining public security and order to becoming a driving force for prosperity in remote parts of the country.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo expressed his appreciation to Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan for completing the infrastructure projects. He made the remarks during the inauguration of the 80 Phase II bridges in South Dumai District, Dumai City, marking his second visit for a bridge inauguration in Riau after the completion of 30 bridges in Phase I. General Sigit thanked the Riau Police Chief and his staff for their hard work in carrying out the president’s directives, resulting in the construction of 110 bridges in the Riau region.