Protesters demand Riau Islands province

Protesters demand Riau Islands province

JAKARTA: Dozens of women from the province of Riau protested
in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs here on Tuesday,
demanding government approval for the establishment of a Riau
Islands province.

During the rally, protesters carried a number of banners and
distributed copies of a statement pledging loyalty to the unitary
state of Indonesia.

The banners read, "Ibu Megawati, our beloved president, please
approve the establishment of the Riau Islands province"; "The
Riau Islands province will stick to the Republic of Indonesia";
and "Riau State? No! Riau Islands Province? Yes!"

Dressed in Muslim attire, the demonstrators also asked Riau
Governor Saleh Djasit to issue his recommendation for the setting
up of the new province.

"There is no need for Saleh Djasit, a true Malay son and
leader of the Riau people, to hesitate in giving his
recommendation for the new province," said one of the
demonstrators.

After the rally the women proceeded to Merdeka Palace, where
they also staged a demonstration. -- Antara