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