Riau Islands province given green light

The House of Representatives' special committee for Riau has endorsed the proposal from a number of islands in Riau to form a new province, the Riau Islands province.

Committee chairman Handjojo Putro of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) announced the decision to 2,500 Riau islanders gathered inside the House compound on Thursday.

The crowd, sporting traditional costumes, welcomed the decision they had been waiting for for two years by dancing, hugging each other and shaking hands.

One of them, Djunaedi, said that the establishment of a separate province for the islands, that would cover most islands in the current Riau province, would improve the welfare of the people.

"We are rich in sea resources, tin and also natural gas in the Natuna islands," he said.

In addition, industrialized Batam island and the resort island Bintan -- both near Singapore -- would add added value to the Riau Islands province.

The establishment of the province had met strong resistance, especially from the Riau Legislative Council and governor Saleh Djasit.

Handjojo was quoted by Antara as explaining that the committee he chaired had considered recommendations from the Riau council and governor.

Nevertheless, after the committee had taken its decision, he said, the council and governor had no alternative but to respect it.

He added that the House would no longer hold dialogues with the Riau governor, but would schedule a series of working sessions with Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, starting Feb. 4, to discuss the legislation for the Riau Islands province. -- JP