RIAU - The arrival of the Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI from Riau, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, together with the Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, and the Regent of Natuna, Cen Sui Lan, at the Sri Serindit Building was greeted by hundreds of Natuna people wearing traditional clothes.
Quoting ANTARA, May 4, Rifqi and Ansar visited Natuna in the third week of April 2025, not only for work or recreation visits to relieve fatigue from the hustle and bustle of big cities, but for a more strategic purpose.
They were present to participate in public discussions regarding the acceleration of the formation of the Special Province of the Natuna-Anambas Islands, in the perspective of the integration and sovereignty of the nation at the border. Their presence is also proof of their seriousness in encouraging the aspirations of the community to be realized immediately.
Natuna Regency and Anambas Islands Regency are being fought for to be united in the formation of a new province, with the main aim of maintaining national sovereignty and security, as these two regions are directly adjacent to China, Malaysia, and several other countries.
The figures in this region formed the Struggle Agency for the Expansion of the Natuna Anambas Islands Special Province (BP3K2NA), as a forum for moving.
Community leaders in Natuna believe that Natuna and Anambas, which are Indonesian storefronts in the northern region, must be considered and prosperous so that neighboring countries are reluctant and appreciate Indonesia's existence, especially in the North Natuna Sea, which is often the operation site for illegal foreign fishing vessels (KIA) and Chinese coast guard vessels.
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Natuna-Anambas is believed to be slow to achieve prosperity because the autonomy authority still depends on regulations from the provincial and central governments, both in development planning, budgeting, and strategic policies.
Another factor that causes delays in development is the geographical location of Natuna and Anambas which is far from the Riau Islands Provincial Capital (Tanjungpinang) as well as the lack of adequate access to transportation to Tanjungpinang and other areas, including the center of government in Jakarta.
Natuna can only be accessed by sea and air. If measured in a straight line, the distance to the provincial capital, Tanjungpinang, reaches 700 to 800 kilometers.
By becoming a province, it is believed that Natuna-Anambas will develop faster because the range of control can be shortened and the authority can be carried out more optimally from a government center that is closer geographically.
The seriousness of the leaders in the Riau Islands to play against these two regions is not just nonsense, but has been proven by written recommendations starting from the Natuna Regent for the period 2021-2025 Wan Siswandi, in July 2023 to the Defense Agency for the Expansion of the Natuna Anambas Islands Special Province (BP3K2NA).
The Riau Islands Governor, Ansar Ahmad, in early 2024 has also approved and signed the recommendation. Most recently, this recommendation was signed by the Chairman of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of the Riau Islands Province, Imam Setiawan.
The approval of these three figures is based on the urgency of sovereignty or security. Because, when referring to Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, administratively, Natuna and Anambas have not met the requirements to form a new autonomous region (DOB), because the number of districts is only two, while a minimum of five districts and cities are needed.
According to the Riau Islands Governor, Ansar Ahmad, if you look at the context of the national strategy, because this region is a state border, the formation of a new province is very important.
This was also revealed by the Regent of Natuna, who is currently held by Cen Sui Lan.
In addition, the Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Rifki, also believes that the urgency of expanding the Natuna Anambas Islands area, if viewed from the point of view of maintaining the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia, strengthening national defense in the ASEAN region of Asia, accelerating community welfare, shortening distance between regions, and equitable development to remote areas, the establishment of the Natuna Anambas Province will be easier to push at the national level.
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