Riau Islands soon to be province

Riau Islands soon to be province

BATAM: Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said on Friday
the government would officially inaugurate Riau Islands province
before the July 5 presidential election.

"We're still conducting field studies to establish the
structure of the regional administration," said Hari.

He said results of the studies would be discussed in the next
Cabinet meeting, while gubernatorial candidates would be selected
from among senior state officials.

Hari said the government had appointed former regional
secretary of Batam city, Mambang Mit, to fill the same position
in the new province.

Meanwhile, the Riau administration continued its criticisms
over the law on the creation of Riau Islands province, saying it
contained legal flaws.

"The local administration can propose another draft to improve
the existing law, if they feel that there are legal flaws," said
Hari. -- Antara