Red and White Expedition Strengthens Outermost Police Sectors in Pelalawan, Brings 1,000 Mangroves

Entering its fourth day, the Riau Regional Police’s Ekspedisi Merah Putih Presisi arrived in the coastal and outermost areas of Pelalawan Regency. The Riau Police brought various social assistance and operational facilities to strengthen the outermost police sectors in the region. The activity, led by Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Director Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Wahyu, Pelalawan Police Chief AKBP John Louis Letedara, Pelalawan Regent H Zukri, and Teluk Meranti Police Chief Sub-Inspector Vicki Rizki, was centred at Otis Beach in Teluk Meranti Village on Tuesday (4/8/2026) with a Red and White flag-raising ceremony. Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro stated that the activity is part of the Riau Police’s commitment to ensuring the state’s presence is genuinely felt by the community, including those living far from government centres and urban areas. “The Ekspedisi Merah Putih Presisi is not merely a journey to the outermost regions. We come bearing services and benefits that the community can directly feel. The spirit is to ensure the state is present right up to the coasts and villages at the nation’s edges,” Ade said. During the expedition, the Riau Police handed over 1,000 mangrove seedlings to support the restoration and protection of the coastal ecosystem and distributed 1,000 Red and White flags to the community to foster a spirit of nationalism ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day. The Riau Police also distributed 100 basic food packages to residents, four packages of sports equipment, and 20 school supply packages for orphans. Support for communities whose livelihoods depend on the waters was also provided through four katinting boat engines. Senior Commissioner Ade added that the Ekspedisi Merah Putih Presisi not only touches the community but also strengthens the police’s ability to provide services in coastal areas. The Riau Police handed over two operational motorcycles for the Kuala Kampar Police Sector and one official patrol car for the Teluk Meranti Police Sector. “This operational vehicle support is important because our region’s characteristics are vast and pose unique geographical challenges. We want to ensure personnel in the field have adequate facilities to reach the community and provide fast services,” Ade added. In addition to handing over aid, the Riau Police held a health service event providing free medical check-ups and treatment for the community. Awards were also given to several community leaders, youth figures, and religious leaders for their contributions to maintaining security, unity, and social life in their respective areas. The 2000 Police Academy graduate emphasised that planting 1,000 mangrove seedlings holds special meaning as part of the implementation of the Riau Police’s Green Policing initiative. Mangroves play an important role as a natural coastal defence against abrasion while preserving the ecosystem and the community’s source of livelihood. “Maintaining security cannot be separated from protecting the environment as the community’s living space. Therefore, through Green Policing, we want to build awareness that protecting nature is also part of safeguarding the future,” he said. According to Ade, the Ekspedisi Merah Putih Presisi was initiated by the Riau Police Chief as a form of comprehensive service, combining aspects of security, social welfare, humanity, nationalism, and environmental awareness. He hopes the expedition will not end with the handover of aid but will further strengthen the police’s closeness to the community while building a shared spirit to maintain security, unity, and environmental sustainability. “The Red and White must be present not only as a flag we raise but as a spirit to protect one another. Protecting the community, protecting unity, protecting the environment, and ensuring no community feels distant from the state’s presence,” he concluded.