The House of Representatives on June 24 approved a draft law on the formation of 12 new regencies in the country, including Anambas in Riau Islands province.
The formation of new autonomous regions is part of Riau Islands' strategy to enhance balanced development and provide improved public services.
It hopes that the formation of Anambas, currently part of Natuna regency, can reduce operating expenses in an area of the province made up largely of ocean.
Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah told The Jakarta Post recently that the province currently consists of four regencies -- Bintan, Lingga, Karimun and Natuna -- and Batam and Tanjung Pinang municipalities.
The provincial administration has long supported the creation of an Anambas regency. It hopes within the next few years to form another autonomous region -- Batam Islands regency -- given Batam city's current population of 700,000. The administration hopes that by creating this regency, it can ensure fairer development among the 300 islands surrounding Batam.
"The formation of Batam Islands regency is likely still a long way off. Looking at geographical conditions, the area is vast and needs special attention, which is certainly different from the attention that Batam Island gets now," Ismeth said.
The provincial administration will submit a proposal to the Home Ministry for an ad interim regent for Anambas, who will oversee administrative matters until a poll can be organized so voters can elect a regent.
Natuna, Anambas' parent regency, is located around 550 kilometers northeast of Batam. The area designated as Anambas regency is located south of Natuna Islands.
Tarempa, located in Siantan district, has been chosen as the capital of Anambas regency.
Anambas is inhabited by 41,341 people, spread across Siantan, Palmatak, Jemaja and East Jemaja districts.
The regency has abundant natural resources, including oil and gas, as well as fisheries and is a potentially rich ecotourism destination.
"The operational expenditures of an island province are much higher compared to on the mainland. It costs more to get from place to place compared to the mainland," Ismeth said.
The total population of Riau Islands currently stands at 1,313,923. The province spans an area of 425,214 square kilometers, including 417,005 square kilometers of sea area. Only 2 percent of the province, or 8,209 square kilometers, is land. The province is made up of 1,242 islands.
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