Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam
Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah has asked the central government to include the province in maritime border talks with Singapore.
He said there was no official schedule for the talks or the completion of an agreement, but the province wanted to be involved because it would be directly affected by the outcome.
Riau Islands is located just a short ferry trip from Singapore.
""We're not asking to be given the authority to make an agreement, but we want the central government to involve us in discussing the agreement since we are very familiar with the situation,"" Ismeth told The Jakarta Post.
""I've mentioned this to the central government and I hope the government will pay attention.""
However, the governor said he was unsure whether it was possible for provinces to be involved in official state talks.
Lawmaker Harry Azhar Azis said he supported the idea of involving the Riau Islands governor in discussions of the maritime border with Singapore.
""Foreign Minister (Hassan Wirayuda) might have no knowledge of the specific characteristics of the area being discussed. It's natural that in his capacity, the governor would have the knowledge to lead such talks,"" said Harry, who represents Riau Islands.
However, he reminded the governor that according to the law on regional autonomy, foreign affairs are the purview of the central government.
""But the governor should play a role in maintaining the Unitary Republic of Indonesia. The provincial administration should coordinate with the central government,"" he said.
Non-governmental organization activist Eddy Burmansyah, speaking in Batam, said border discussions should be entrusted only to the central government.
He said the provincial administration could not claim special knowledge of the area under discussion, because all the mapping and surveying of the area is carried out by the central government, under the National Mapping and Survey Board.
""The local administration even regularly forgets the number of islands under its jurisdiction. It's better to let the central government handle foreign affairs,"" said Eddy, who belongs to the Children Care Foundation in Batam and is in the process of establishing an environmental NGO.
""I'm worried that if the provincial administration is involved, it might have a different agenda. I fear the administration might think of its own region instead of the interests of the whole archipelago.""
He said these kinds of different agendas were apparent in the sand export ban introduced by the central government, over environmental concerns.
The provincial government objected to the ban because it affected local revenue.
""Involving a local administration in such talks is not a good idea because it might consider its own interests.
