T

he Riau Islands provincial administration has warned residents in Natuna regency to stay up to date on issues related to the South China Sea dispute.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro met Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani over the weekend in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands province, to discuss the South China Sea conflict.

Riau Islands provincial administration chief spokesman Heri Mochrizal told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that his office would disseminate information related to the dispute to residents in Natuna regency.

Heri said the Natuna Military Command had taken a number of measures in the territory. He expressed hope that local residents living around disputed areas could get adequate information on the measures so they would not worry.

'€œI believe the Natuna Military Command has directly informed residents about the South China Sea dispute,'€ said Heri.

Heri said Purnomo and Governor Sani had discussed the topic several times, including during the inauguration of a new ward at the Indonesian Navy Hospital in Tanjung Pinang on Sept. 27.

Separately, Natuna regency administration spokesman Helmi Wahyuda said Natuna, inhabited by 40,000 people, was less informed about the South China Sea issue.

'€œNatuna residents have been calm, including those living on the outer-most islands near the border with Vietnam and the Philippines,'€ said Helmi.

According to Helmi, his regency hoped that the central government would give more assistance in the form of vital infrastructure such as power, clean water and roads.

'€œWe have to be wary of persuasion from other parties that may make promises on improving the welfare of Natuna residents,'€ said Helmi.

He said residents could monitor the progress in various aspects in the neighboring countries of Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines and compare it in respect to their own lives.

Meanwhile, Heri said the Riau Islands provincial administration had allocated a significant amount of funds to empower the community and develop economic potential in Natuna.

'€œThe funds have been disbursed, but I don'€™t know the exact amount,'€ he said.

Previously, Purnomo said the government intended to establish a squadron of F16 fighter jets in Pekanbaru, Riau Islands, and an Apache helicopter squadron near the South China Sea.

Purnomo said the government had decided upon the measure to safeguard Asia'€™s largest gas field in Riau Islands'€™ East Natuna field, formerly known as the Natuna-D Alpha block, which is set for development in the near future.

The former energy and mineral resources minister said the F16 squadron would enhance the existing fighter squadron in Pekanbaru, which is home to a number of Hawk 100 and 200 weapons system jets.