T

he government has earmarked more than Rp 1 trillion (US$76 million) this year to build education, healthcare and transportation facilities in Riau Islands, besides strengthening military installations facing the South China Sea.

'€œRegarding escalating issues regarding the South China Sea, the central government, through a number of ministries, has allocated more than Rp 1 trillion to 17 border districts in Riau Islands this year, with 13 of them in Natuna and Anambas regencies bordering the South China Sea,'€ Riau Islands Border Management Agency head Edy Sofyan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Edy said the development of infrastructure was in line with the earlier building of defense and security facilities, such as a military base in Natuna and marine barracks on Sekotok Island in Batam, all in the framework to anticipate future conflict in the South China Sea.

'€œPotential conflict is difficult to predict in the region as it could happen any time. Years ago, Indonesia was never involved in conflict with anyone regarding the South China Sea, but the region can'€™t be said to be peaceful,'€ he said.

Edy also refuted China'€™s claim over the South China Sea extending into the Natuna and Anambas land area. The claim, he added, was just a move to claim the region.

'€œUntil this moment, the issue in Natuna and Anambas is just illegal fishing, not issues over sovereignty,'€ said Edy.

Natuna regency, located 550 kilometers northeast of Batam Island, measures 1,720 square km, 87 percent of which is sea. Residents depend on fishing as a livelihood.

Natuna regency spokesman Helmi Wahyuda told the Post recently that Natuna'€™s 40,000 population was not fully aware that claims in the South China Sea issue reached the northernmost regency in Indonesia.

'€œResidents of Natuna are so far calm, including those living on the outer-most islands near the border with Vietnam and the Philippines,'€ said Helmi.

According to Helmi, his office expected the central government to develop infrastructure vital to Natuna residents, such as power, water distribution and roads.

'€œWe must be wary of persuasion by others with issues, especially concerning Natuna residents. The Natuna regency administration is active in conveying to residents news about the South China Sea issue as well as aggressiveness of a number of countries over territorial claims there,'€ said Helmi.

In the framework of beefing up security in the South China Sea, Indonesia will form an F-16 squadron in Pekanbaru, Riau, and a combat helicopter squadron around the South China Sea, as part of efforts to secure the biggest gas field in Asia in Natuna regency, Riau Islands, which will soon be developed further.