Riau Demands Special Autonomy
Friday, 12 January, 2007 | 13:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Pekanbaru: The Riau people demand the central government to put into effect special autonomy for Riau in order to increase their welfare. This was conveyed in a declaration at Puma MTQ area, Pekanbaru, yesterday (11/1). Around 3,000 people attended the event in spite of the rain. This event was targeted to be attended by 50,000 people.

With this declaration, Riau cited five points. One of the points is financial balance from the natural resources resulting from that province. “Riau's share must be higher,” said Alfitra Salam, a political researcher at the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI), who read the declaration.

Several notables including former Home Affairs Minister Syarwan Hamid; former State Minister for Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid; Riau Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) member Maimanah Umar, House of Representatives (DPR) member from Riau M. Tonas and Riau DPRD Chairperson Chaidir, gave speeches. “This special autonomy is of course within the unitary state framework,” said Alfitra.

According to Ryaas Rasyid, this special autonomy is natural considering Riau's resource contribution to the central government. These natural assets are not in balance with the residents’ condition. Out of 4.6 million Riau residents, 40 percent still live in poverty.

However, Riau political observer Alimin, has a different opinion. According to him, this demand is nothing more than the political elites' game to acquire personal advantage. “This does not come from many people,” he said. Riau residents, he said, are apathetic with what they obtain from development so far.

Director of the Riau Development Study Center, Afandi, said that the basic problem is not how much Riau gains. From the total Rp9 trillion of the province’s and regency’s income, the people have never enjoyed it. The point of the problem is, he said, how the funds can be enjoyed by the people.

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