The borders within: Mobility and enclosure in the Riau Islands1

Abstract

: The border studies literature makes a strong case against claims for unfettered transnationalism and ‘borderlessness’ in our ‘globalising world’. However, its focus on movement across borders means that it fails to address bordering practices that occur within the nation‐state as a result of transnational activity. In this paper, we extend Cunningham and Heyman’s concepts ‘enclosure’ and ‘mobility’ to confront the different layers of bordering (both physical and non‐physical) that have occurred in Indonesia’s Riau Islands since they became part of the Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle.

Learning by Doing: Trade Unions and Electoral Politics in Batam, Indonesia, 2004–2009

“…3 For an overview of Batam's position in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore growth triangle, see Peachey et al (1998) and Ford and Lyons (2006). 4 More than 100 interviews were conducted with union leaders at the national, local and plant level, as well as several more with labour NGO activists, members of the Municipal Assembly who were sympathetic to labour and local manpower bureaucrats.…”

Tourism Unbounded: Mobilities and Border Crossings in Singapore

“…This paved the way for rapid flows of tourism capital and people across the countries, particularly from Singapore to Indonesia, binding the two territories in joint development programs. However, differentiated mobilities are also evident when we contrast the unimpeded flows of Singaporean visitors and investments into Indonesia with the less fluid flows of Indonesian investments and migrant workers attempting to enter Malaysia and Singapore (see Ford and Lyons 2006 for more information). Mobilities are therefore not automatically mutual in direction, intensity and motivation of flows.…”

“…As international travelers cross the threshold into the Riau islands with ease, the mobility of Indonesian tourists and workers in the opposite direction is often not as smooth. Many are quizzed by Singapore immigration officials demanding proof of their economic status and ability to spend in the city-state; in some cases working class Indonesians experience a much longer time passing through immigration because of intense scrutiny and interrogation of their documents (Ford and Lyons 2006; see Lindquist 2010 on workers from Bintan entering Singapore).…”

“…The Bintan resorts are ringed by fences and entry is confined to securitized gateways where only paying-guests and resort workers carrying employment cards are allowed to pass through (see Ford and Lyons 2006 for a case study of the Lagoi tourist enclave in Bintan). BBIR's constructions also saw the relocation of 5,000 residents from ten villages in Bintan.…”

Transnational Flows and Permissive Polities

“…The use of the Singapore dollar for everyday trading and the continued culture of smuggling meant that -in contrast to most Indonesian communities at that time -many residents of Tanjung Pinang on the island of Bintan had access to television sets (watching Singapore channels) and a range of electronic goods (Ford & Lyons 2006).…”