Riau Islands woos residents to outer islets with incentives

Fadli , The Jakarta Post , Batam | Sat, 04/19/2008 12:24 PM | The Archipelago

Riau Islands province will set aside Rp 16.1 billion (US$1.8 million) this year for 19 outer islands bordering with neighboring countries to provide incentives to people who wish to live on those islands, a local official says.

Riau Islands Development Planning Board head Suhajar Diantoro told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday the province encompassed 19 outer islands sitting next to neighboring countries, but only two were inhabited; Subi Kecil and Serasan islands in Natuna regency.

"We have bolstered security on those islands since last year. Next, we are considering how we can develop them in terms of economic activities, such as for agriculture and livestock breeding," Suhajar said, adding that they were "ideally located".

He cited an example of the Japanese forces who built an air base on Serasan Island in 1940 to conquer the Asia Pacific region during World War II.

"Serasan has more inhabitants, around 50 families, compared to Subi Kecil with only five families. Many of them couldn't endure life on the outer islands because of the limited means of living," Suhajar said.

He added that the provincial administration should develop the outer islands to prevent foreign infiltration, to respect their culture, politics and security and to empower the islanders in a sustainable manner.

Riau Islands provincial spokesman Irmansyah said the administration had allocated Rp 16.1 billion this year for the outer islands, funds which would be distributed through a number of relevant agencies.

He added the islanders would also receive monthly incentives of Rp 800,000 for their living expenses this year, but did not specify the number of people included in the program.

"The incentives are intended to make them feel they have been taken care of as Indonesian citizens. The amount they receive is relatively small compared to their living costs," Irmansyah said.

Plaques have been installed inscribed with "Outer Perimeters of the Republic of Indonesia" and signed by President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit to Natuna regency, a measure by the provincial administration to maintain sovereignty over the outer islands as an integral part of the country.

Vice chairman of Commission I on security affairs at the House of Representatives, Yusron Ihza Mahendra, said during a visit to Batam recently that surveillance on the outer islands had not been carried out optimally, and that plans to establish an Indonesian Military (TNI) presence in those strategic areas had to be expedited.

"The TNI will set up battalions in areas bordering neighboring countries. Commission I has endorsed their immediate establishment in order to address the prevailing border issues," Yusron said.