Thousands hold rally for Riau Islands province
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam
Thousands of people marched in separate rallies in Riau on Thursday to push their demands for the establishment of a Riau Island province, forcing many shops to close.
The protesters separately burned the effigies of top local officials and senior legislators they blamed for obstructing their interests.
The accused figures in question included Riau Governor Saleh Djasit, speaker of the province's legislative council Chaidir and his deputy Wan Abubakar, as well as Tabrani Rab, who heads the local Regional Autonomy Monitoring Council (DPOD).
On Batam island, at least 100 people turned out to join a rally organized by the Defense Movement of Riau Island (GBPK). Shopkeepers in the main-shopping area of Nagoya on the industrialized island closed their stores, fearing the protest could turn violent.
A similar scene was seen in the island's Batam Center area, where some of the shops were also shut down to avoid unforeseen problems.
The protesters, led by GBPK leader Ahmad Mipon, demanded that the central government soon take the necessary measures to endorse the establishment of a Riau Island province that will include the regencies of Batam, Natuna, Tanjung Balai Karimun and Riau Island or Tanjungpinang.
Similar street protests were also held in the four regencies, which involved more than 3,000 people in total, Antara reported.
"If the House of Representative does not form a consultative committee to discuss our demands by May 15, we will continue demonstrations," Mipon threatened.
The demonstrators in Batam carried a 200-meter long banner and asked passersby to sign it in support of the demand for a new province separated from Riau.
In Tanjungpinang, several local officials, including Riau Island Regent Huzrin Hood and senior councillors were among those taking to the streets.
The protest was marked by the symbolic removal of the logo of Riau province from the shirts of two civil servants in the Riau Island regency administration.
However, Thursday's rallies appeared to fail to encourage people to cease social and economic activities as earlier suggested by the organizers through their public circulars.
The circulars, issued last week by the Preparatory Committee for the Establishment of Riau Island Province, called for shops and other business centers, food stalls and government offices to close during Thursday's demonstrations.