Primary School Pupils in Riau Hold Dialogue with Titiek Soeharto, Pleased with Police-Built Bridges
Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek Soeharto), Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, attended the inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony of 110 bridges in Riau Province. On this occasion, Titiek Soeharto greeted pupils from SDN 018 Semulut, Banglas Barat Village, Tebing Tinggi District, Kepulauan Meranti Regency.
The dialogue took place virtually. Titiek Soeharto herself attended the bridge inauguration in Gobah Village, Tambang District, Kampar Regency alongside National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
Also present at this event were Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki and his entourage. Attending as well were Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto and the Riau Regional Leadership Forum (Forkopimda), including Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan, Chair of the Riau Regional House of Representatives Kaderismanto, and Commander of Military Region XIX/Tuanku Tambusai Major General Agus Hadi Waluyo. Religious leaders and community figures from Riau were also present.
The National Police Chief was accompanied by senior officials from Police Headquarters, including the Head of Intelligence Komjen Yuda Gustawan, Head of Criminal Investigation Komjen Syahardiantono, Commander of Mobile Brigade Komjen Ramdani Hidayat, and Head of Public Relations Irjen Johnny Eddizon Isir.
Titiek Soeharto first greeted the Kepulauan Meranti Police Chief AKBP Aldi Alfa Faroqi. The police chief explained that the bridge at the location is very important as it provides direct access to SDN 018 Semulut.
“This bridge is a facility that connects directly from the main road to SDN 018. Therefore, those who benefit from this bridge are the teachers, parents and pupils of SDN 018,” said Aldi Alfa on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
Aldi then explained that SDN 018 Semulut has a total of 72 pupils. After that, Titiek Soeharto asked the primary school children.
“Well, where are the children? Where are they?” asked Titiek Soeharto.
“Are you happy now that the road is good?” asked Titiek.
However, Titiek Soeharto’s question was not immediately answered by the pupil. After several seconds of delay, the pupil finally responded.
“Thank you, Ms Titiek,” said a primary school pupil, drawing laughter from those present.
“How were things for you before the bridge was built?” asked Titiek.
“Previously, our school bridge was damaged and when we wanted to go to school, during high tide we had to remove our shoes first, ma’am,” answered the pupil.
Crocodile-Prone Bridge
The pupil then explained the condition of the bridge which posed a risk to safety, as the area around the river near the bridge had crocodiles.
“We were afraid to cross the bridge because there are crocodiles around here,” said the pupil.
“Subhanallah,” replied Titiek.
“Oh, so you had to remove your shoes first?” asked Titiek again.
“So how is the bridge now, it’s comfortable now, isn’t it?” she asked again.
“It’s comfortable, ma’am,” the pupil replied.