Tension rises in Tanjungpinang

Tension rises in Tanjungpinang

TANJUNGPINANG, Riau: A mysterious shooting has cast a pall
over the run-up to next week's inauguration of the acting
governor of the Riau Islands province, Muchtar Silin.

East Riau Islands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Johannes
Kwartanto confirmed on Monday that an unidentified person or
persons opened fire on the house of local community leader Rahman
ATT, who is a staunch supporter of Tanjungpinang island being
made a separate province.

The shooting took place at about midnight on Saturday, but no
casualties or damage was reported. Apparently, all of the bullets
fired from the AK-47 either went over the house or slammed into
the ground in front of the house.

Twenty-four hours after the shooting, a fire broke out in a
traditional market, destroying three kiosks. But Johannes refused
to link the blaze and the shooting.

Another local leader, Andy, told Antara the two incidents were
intentional, and were meant to derail the inauguration of the
governor on May 15.

People on Tanjungpinang and three other Riau islands --
Bintan, Batam and Natuna -- have long demanded a separate
province, despite opposition from both the central government and
the Riau provincial administration.

Proponents of a separate province have set a May 15 deadline
for the House of Representatives to approve the establishment of
the new province. -- Antara