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here is real concern that the dispute over Berhala Island could trigger horizontal conflict between the Riau Islands and Jambi provincial administrations, with each claiming authority over the island, although a decree by Home Ministry has decided that it is part of Jambi’s territory.

A number of people and political elite in Riau Islands province have reportedly reacted strongly against the decree ruling the island within the jurisdiction of East Tanjung Jabung regency, Jambi.

Riau Islands legislative Commission I secretary Surya Makmur Nasution told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the ministerial decree had raised concerns about the sociopolitical situation in the province.

He said his concerns were justified by frequent rallies held by a number of societal elements in the Riau Islands, all showing their dissatisfaction with the decision.

The Riau Islands provincial administration and legislature have decided to bring the issue to the Supreme Court.

“If the issue is neglected it could cause conflict. We don’t wish to wage tribal war, as in Papua, just because of this issue. The Home Minister should have discussed the matter together with the governors of Jambi and Riau Islands. He shouldn’t have abruptly issued the decree in authoritarian fashion,” said Surya.

Surya called on political elite and elements of society to exercise restraint and wait for the conclusions of the legal process.

“We must bring the matter to court and refrain from destructive actions,” said Surya.

As of early Tuesday, hundreds of banners were seen with messages expressing the people’s disapproval of the inclusion of Berhala Island as a part of Jambi.

The banners were seen along the road from Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport and along a number of thoroughfares in the city.

Banners emphasized how the province’s dignity was at stake in losing the island. “Berhala Island is the bottom line”, one said. “Protect Berhala Island until our last drop of blood”, another said in Tanjung Pinang and a number of other areas in Riau Islands.

Ministerial decree No. 44/2011 instructs that Berhala Island, which spans 44.57 hectares and is inhabited by around 60 families, has been excluded from Lingga regency, Riau Islands administration.

Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani said the provincial administration felt that it had been deceived after further talks had been agreed to during the last discussions on Berhala Island at Hotel Pacific Batam last year, involving the directorate general of regional autonomy and representatives from the Riau Islands and Jambi provincial administrations.

“In addition to a meeting scheduled at the Home Ministry, a field observation at Berhala Island had also been scheduled. However, the decree was immediately issued — just like that,” Sani said recently.

According to Sani, from a historical perspective, Berhala Island was part of the Riau-Lingga kingdom from the 17th century and became part of Riau Residency in 1922, up to the first general election in 1955 and the Riau gubernatorial election in 1985.

Border Area Research and Study Institute head Jono Saputro said the Riau Islands should accept the ministerial decree with an open mind and would be better off focusing on developing the 2,000 islands within its provincial territory.