Special Committee Highlights Welfare Issues in Meranti Islands Regency

A member of the Special Committee (Pansus) for the Regional Islands Bill, Hendry Munief, has highlighted welfare issues in the Meranti Islands Regency, Riau Province. In a hearing with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Hendry urged both institutions to find solutions to the problems in the region. He revealed the concerning fact that thousands of residents of the Meranti Islands Regency are forced to work in Malaysia without official visas due to economic hardship in their home area. The politician from the Riau electoral district stated that the existence of island regions is not only linked to economic development but also plays a strategic role in maintaining national defence. However, many island regions remain underdeveloped and lack prosperity, which he said makes these areas vulnerable and disrupts national defence and security in border zones. He cited the Meranti Islands Regency, which directly borders Malaysia and Singapore, as an example. Despite possessing significant natural resource potential, the area is still classified as experiencing extreme poverty. This situation, Hendry noted, is what drives thousands of Meranti residents to choose to work in Malaysia without official documentation. He asserted that this condition indicates the state has not yet been able to ensure the welfare of its people or fully explore the region’s potential. Hendry expressed hope for concrete action from the central government, particularly the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, in formulating a comprehensive solution. He stressed that the issue is related to national defence and security, but the economic gap must be addressed. The hearing between the Special Committee for the Regional Islands Bill, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on Monday (13/7) focused on sharpening the substance of the bill. It is hoped that the Regional Islands Bill will give rise to strategic policies that not only strengthen defence aspects but also improve the welfare of communities in border areas, thereby curbing the phenomenon of illegal workers and maximising regional potential.