Riau elite in dispute over sand exports

Haidir Anwar Tandjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru

Riau's local elite have been involved in a serious dispute over sand exports to Singapore with Riau Governor Saleh Djasit threatening to sue a legislator who accused him of taking advantage of the business to enrich himself.

Jahar Harahap, a legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said the governor should make the export of sand more accountable, which according to many sides in the province, has only benefited local government officials.

"Governor Saleh Djasit along with his cronies have received Rp 2 billion a month in fees from local mining companies. In addition, he has set up a consortium to improve the province's bargaining power but they have instead made a policy benefiting the local administration," he said here early this week.

He pointed out that the consortium purchased the sand at a price of between S$1 and $S1.5 per cubic meter but they sold the sand to Singapore at a price of between $6 and $7 per cubic meter.

"Besides adversely affecting the environment, the governor has never revealed the level of income the province receives from the business," he said.

The export of sand has sparked protest and criticism from many sides because it not only causes material losses to the local administration and local people, especially fishermen, but sand mining is being conducted by unauthorized mining companies backed by the local military.

Abdul Latief, spokesman for the provincial administration, said the governor has been informed about the accusation and has hired lawyers to file a lawsuit, accusing Jahar of slander.

"Jahar must unveil material evidence in court that the governor is involved in corrupt and collusive practices," he said.

Jahar has been instructed to make an apology in three local newspapers for three consecutive days or we will sue him in court," he said.

Tengku Rafian, an assistant to the provincial administration secretary, said the provincial administration would bring the case to court should Jahar fail to make an apology before the public.

According to him, Jahar as a member of the House of Representatives, should concentrate on his main task of monitoring central government rather than the provincial administration.

"His main task is to monitor the central government, not the governor or regents," he said.

Wan Abu Bakar, deputy chairman of the provincial administration, said Jahar as a legislator from the province had a right to monitor the entire situation in the province but he should not focus on discrediting local officials.

Suriadi P., chairman of the local chapter of PDI Perjuangan, regretted the argument, saying Jahar had not been coordinated in criticizing the governor over the export of sand.