Riau Islands province given green light

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