Contesting boundaries in the Riau Archipelago

Abstract

The fall of the New Order and the implementation of the regional autonomy laws have provided fresh opportunities for the local elite to promote and consolidate their own sphere of influence. As has already been the case in a number of provinces and districts, instances of conflict have spread, often in the context of power struggles and highly complex social and political restructurings (H. Schulte Nordholt 2002). In many cases, these conflicts are popularly articulated through the language of ethnic and religious identity politics. Similarly, ethnic and religious sensitivities which were consciously repressed during the period of the New Order, are now exposed. The Riau Archipelago (or Kepri from Kepulauan Riau) had been so far largely spared from acute tensions and mounting violence. However, among the urban middle class and between generations ideological polarization has taken place. The different attempts to conceptualize 'Masyarakat Kepri' -the society of Kepulauan Riau -by politicians and public intellectuals seems to demonstrate how an increasing emphasis on regional identity has gradually superseded a more general concern with the nation. The discussion about the character of the newly formed province of Kepri has oscillated over the past years between the aristocrats' ideal of reverting to the era of the sultanate, and an image of an industrial oriented pluralistic society, advocated by business people, which is strong and autonomous enough to compete economically with Singapore and Malaysia.The proximity to Malaysia and Singapore has created an interesting paradox. On one hand, Singapore and Malaysia have been a source of identity for the Malays in the Riau Archipelago as important economic and cultural power bases. On the other hand, precisely because of the geographical proximity to Malaysia and in particular to Singapore, the islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun have attracted the highest number of Indonesian migrants of the whole archipelago, to the point now that Malays are there in minority. Tanjungpinang's population has grown dramatically in the past years -from 98,871 in 1998 to 134,940 in 2004 -which resulted to a dramatic urbanization

Identity Politics, Citizenship and the Soft State in Indonesia: an Essay

“…Although the aristocratic elite dreamt of a Malay renaissance, young people felt more at home in a Jakarta-derived culture than in the intimidating high modernity of Singapore. Thus, in Riau, administrative fragmentation and contested identities resulted in conflict and confusion (Schulte Nordholt 2008: 153-5;Faucher 2007).…”

A Veto Players Analysis of Subnational Territorial Reform in Indonesia

“…Neglect of these archipelagic areas, as exhibited by lack of infrastructure and limited human resources, and bias toward mainland Riau, was also apparent in the debate (M. Suwandi, personal communication, September 12, ; Titiswasanany, ). Moreover, the elite supporters, who are well respected, are motivated by the opportunity to “restore [the] former glory… of the Malay‐Buginese aristocracy” (Faucher, , p. 452). The demand for split was also an opportunity to claim financial share from a gas field (Ford, , as cited in Fitrani et al, ).…”

“…Thus, the local VPs involved three regents and their respective DPRD‐II, and Riau governor and DPR‐I. Riau Islands district head, Huzrin Hood, aiming to be a governor, was responsible for floating the idea of a province in the archipelago that is distinctly Malay (Faucher, ; Kimura, ). As in the case of West Sulawesi, citizens had to be persuaded by Hood, who had to justify and promote the proposed new province as people's aspiration, and not elite driven.…”

“…The idea to create the new province was an offshoot of an original idea to divide Riau Islands district into six for better administrative efficiency and community empowerment (Kimura, ). The idea of creating a province then accidentally emerged from a large meeting organized in May 1999 and financed by local elites, that was intended to discuss the creation of new districts and cities (Faucher, ; Titiswasanany, ). Advocacy was instead redirected to creating Riau Islands Province, which led to the formation of a new organization ( Badan Persiapan Pembentukan Provinsi Kepulauan Riau [Committee to Prepare for the Creation of Riau Island Province, or BP3KR]), headed by Hood and respected community leaders, and was later supported by several other civil society organizations (Kimura, ).…”

“…Moreover, the newly created district of Natuna did not want to join the proposed new province for fear of losing its large share from petroleum (Titiswasanany, ). The provincial leaders found an unusual support from the governor's critic, Tabrani Rab, head of Free Riau Movement (Faucher, ).…”