Riau Archipelago
The Capital City of Riau Archipelago Province is “Tanjung Pinang”
A
master plan is underway to turn it into a major tourist destination. Barely an
hour away from Singapore by ferry and about Sing-$ 21,
tourist accommodation begins to take advantage from its strategic
location. It consists of Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands and Anambas
Archipelago. Originally part of Riau Province, Riau Archipelago was split off
as a separate Province in July 2004 with Tanjung Pinang as its capital. Anambas
Archipelago, located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo were attached to the
new province. By population, the most important islands in this area are are
Bintan, Batam and Karimun. Size wise, however, the sparsely populated Natuna
Islands are larger.
Riau Archipelago with its
thousands of island has plenty of scenic beaches and diving spots, among them
Trikora on Bintan and Pasir Panjang on Rupat Island. The first is about 50
kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Pasir
Panjang, on the northern side of Rupat facing to Malacca Strait has natural
beaches and they are also found on Terkulai and Soreh islands, about an hour's
distance by boat from Tanjung Pinang. One of the most popular beaches is Nongsa
on Batam Island. From here one can see the Singapore skyline.
History
From Sriwijaya era until
the 16th century, Riau was a part of greater Malay kingdoms or sultanates, in
the heart of what is often called the 'Malay World', which stretches from
eastern Sumatera to Borneo. The Malay-related Orang Laut tribes inhabited the
islands and formed the backbone of most Malay kingdoms from Sriwijaya to the
Sultanate of Johor for the control of trade routes going through the straits.
After the fall of Melaka in 1511, Riau islands became the center of political
power of the mighty Sultanate of Johor or Johor - Riau, based on Bintan Island,
and were considered the center of Malay culture.
But history changed the
fate of Riau as a political, cultural or economic center when European powers
struggled to control the regional trade routes and took advantage of political
weaknesses within the sultanate. Singapore Island, that had been for centuries
part of the same greater Malay kingdoms and sultanates, and under direct
control of Sultan of Johor, came under British control. The creation of a
European-controlled territory in Johor-Riau heart natural boundaries broke the
sultanate into two parts, destroying the cultural and political unity that had
existed for centuries. The Anglo-Dutch treaty of 1824 consolidated this
separation, with the British controlling all territories north of the Singapore
Strait and Dutch controlling territories from Riau to Java.
After the European powers
withdrew from the region, the new independent governments had to reorganize and
find balance after inheriting 400 years of colonial boundaries. Before finding
their current status, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Borneo
territories struggled and even came into military conflict against each other,
and Riau islands once again found themselves in the middle of regional
struggle. But the once strong cultural unity of the region with Riau never returned,
and the line drawn by the British in 1819 remained, this time marking the
divide between three new countries as of 1965: Singapore, the Malaysian
federation in the north and Indonesia in the south. These new countries,
however, recreated unity in Riau world for the first time after 150 years with
the creation of the Sijori Growth Triangle.
But while bringing back
some economical wealth to Riau, the Sijori Growth Triangle somewhat broke
the cultural unity within the islands. With Batam island receiving most of the
industrial investments and dramatically developing into a regional industrial
center, it attracted hundreds of thousands of non-Malay Indonesian migrants,
changing forever the demographic balance in the archipelago.
Today the name of Riau merely
refers to this administrative region of Indonesia, a free trade zone heavily
supported by Indonesian, Singaporean and international investments.
Entry
Riau Island can easily be
reached by air or sea from Jakarta and Pekanbaru directly. Batam and Bintan
have international ship lines and flight. It is only 45 minutes away from
Singapore by ferry.
Traditional
Costumes
The
womens Melayu Riaunese wear baju kurung (shirt), songket sarong, and gold
jewerly also the ring on
hand. The jewerly such as bracelets, pending
(pins), hair buns are usually used to showing status in the society. The men's
costume are teluk belanga (headdress), tanjak (head covers), sampin (cloth),
keris (creese), and selop (sandals) as a footwear.
People & Culture
Malay people who inhabit
Riau Islands are renowned for their hospitality and warm welcome. However due
to the economical and opportunity increases in certain islands, many people try
to seek their fortune here thus creating Riau Islands as melting pot for
various ethnic groups and races.
Batam’s
Island
Batam Island is located on one of the group
of islands in the eastern part of Riau Province, and the Southeast of Republic
of Singapore. Batam is very strategic island in Indonesia, located 15-20
minutes to and from Singapore by air-conditioned ferry ride. From Pekanbaru,
the capital of Riau Province, it’s only 45 minutes by plane. Batam island has
been designated by the Indonesian Government as a center of industry, Tour
Adventure and trade.
Batam is one of the 3,000 islands, which make
up the Riau Archipelago and is closest to Singapore, which is only 20 km away
or twenty minutes by air-conditioned ferry. It has a rapid-growing population
of around 100.000. As the island develops into a major industrial and tourist area,
it attracts an ever-increasing population from other Indonesian islands who see
Batam as a haven of opportunity. Once almost uninhabited, save for a few
scattered fishing communities, Batam's history took a sharp turn beginning
1969, when it became support base for the State-owned 'Pertamina oil company'
and its offshore oil exploration. In 1971 a presidential decree designated it
as an industrial area and in 1975 the Batam Authority was formed. In 1978 Batam
was established as a bonded area.
Batam area constitutes a cluster of as many
as 3,000 islands with the land surface of 1.647 square kilometers
makes it one of the largest Islands in the Riau Archipelago. Together with
nearby Bintan and Karimun Islands and a part of eastern Sumatera, they form the
Riau Province. Batam, Rempang, Galang and a few smaller surrounding islands
form the Barelang, Municipality. Two third of the total area consists of the
sea. Batam Island where Batam City lies is the biggest in the above-mentioned
group of islands, whereas the others are only small and not yet inhabited.
Although the city of Batam is developing very
rapidly, with the influx of various ethnic groups from all over Indonesia,
nevertheless the Malayan Culture, which forms the roots of the local culture,
keeps on flourishing and being taken care of as the identity of the Batam art
and cultures. The development of a society consisting of various different
origins also engendered multi-colored cultures in Batam. The one of traditional
art forms is the “Yogi Dance” which originated from the coastal ethnic group.
Other art forms are the Malayan Dances and songs, the traditional theatre,
music and the like, which could be seen at the various ceremonies and other
activities in the society.
Despite it’s strategic location at the
crossroad of international shipping routes and it’s close proximity to
Singapore’s excellent trading, banking, transport and businesses service
facilities, Batam Island was not developed until 1970.Starting by the mind
1970’s, a rapid development in the island was began, despite it’s strategic
location as one of the world’s busiest and most important international trade
routes. A study has recommended a development strategy based on the oil and gas
exploration industries and related downstream energy product processing
activities.
During the 70’s, the growth of offshore oil
exploration in Indonesia resulted in the island becoming a base for the
state-owned oil company. A master plan for Batam’s development began in 1972
with advice from American and Javanese consultants. The plan was revised in
subsequent years with inputs from other international consultants.The Batam
Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) has played a key role in ensuring
proper and controlled growth of infrastructure and economic development on
Batam. BIDA will be on hand to assist potential and new investors with
information on investment possibilities and to guide them through all necessary
procedures.
The island is generally flat with rolling
hills surrounding a ridge that rises approximately (415 meters) above the sea
level in the southeast central area. It has principal physical characteristic
dense tropical vegetation in the hilly districts, as well as in the higher
elevations of the island’s plan. The northern part of the island is also
somewhat hilly, and the rest of the coastal regions are mainly flat.
The entire island was declared in 1978 as a
bonded zone to encourage the development of export oriented industries and
support easier importation of materials required by manufacturing industries
located on the island. Detailed studies of the island show that available water
supplies and planned land use patterns could support a target population of
700.000. Now the current population is approximately more than 85.000.
Batam Center
Batam Center is the huge commercial and
government center of Batam. Government Departments “Kantor Otorita Batam” (BIDA and Immigration), postal facilities,
and many commercial banks are located on this (2,567 Hectares Square).
Supporting the Tour Adventure industry, there are two large department stores
and supermarkets, a handicraft center, restaurants and a bowling alley. BIDA’s
office provides one stop service for commercial activities in Batam. This area
prides itself in the many picturesque houses being built in residential sites.
Further development planned for this area includes shopping centers and malls,
commercial and office complexes. A ferry terminal will provide sea
transportation to Singapore and surrounding islands.
The development in the Batam Center is
designed for the administrative and commercial center for Batam Island. It will
have a business district and a center for governmental activities and is
expected to support a total Population of 147.000 out of the 700.000-projected
population for the entire island.
Together with it’s associated residential
areas in the neighboring sub regions. The Batam Center will occupy
approximately 1.300 developed hectares of land. This area is expected to
account for a substation share of the island’s growth in the initial stages of
the development.In recognition of this, 350 hectares in the Nongsa region has
been set-aside as recreation area. For golf courses, hotels and motels, and
marina sports facilities are to be there as well as forest reserve managed by
the Indonesian Government and the Batam Industrial Development Authority.
A master development plant which was devised
for the island at the end of 1979 divides the island into four major
development areas that consisted of :
1. Batu
Ampar (comprising Batu Ampar and Muka Kuning).
2. The
Batam Center Special Region.
2. Sekupang
(comprising Sekupang, Tanjung Uncang, and Segulung).
3. The
East Coast Region (comprising Nongsa, The Kabil, Region and Duriankang).
Batu Ampar & Lubuk Baja
Batam’s early development began in the 70’s
with the growth of Batu Ampar. This northern development area of Batu Ampar is
10,504 Hectares houses Mc Dermott’s largest fabrication yard in Southeast Asia.
Batu Ampar is currently the main port for Batam’s imports and exports.
Supporting developments include general industries, office and shopping centers
also residential housing. A ferry terminal provides daily connections to nearby
Singapore and late night travelers could catch the last ferry here departing
for Singapore at (20:20 Hours) WIB (8:20 pm) and from Singapore at (21:20
Hours).
The Batu Ampar area is called as a pioneer
area and is principally earmarked as medium scale industries situated for the
most part close to the present Harbor facilities. While the Muka Kuning section
of this region is reserved for governmental departments.The development of Batu
Ampar is designed with many facilities, such as harbor, and port facilities
capable of handing ships of up to 35.000 DWT. Equipped with sophisticated
loading and unloading systems for special structures and raw materials, the
harbor is able to handle approximately 500.000 ton of cargo a year.
Still in the Batu Ampar, it’s industrial zone
is planned to accommodate between 30 to do industries mostly of medium size. While
in the region of Sekupang, a significant development has been undergone. Among
others is a modern telecommunications network supporting the growth industries
in the region. The area is hot only designed for office area, community center,
and residential area, but also for recreation and sport centers.Provision has
been made for and 18 golf courses in an area of about 120 hectares which has
been designated for recreation and leisure. There will be also a horseback
riding, and a modern sport center expected to occupy about 50 hectares.
Nagoya
The main town center for Batam is Nagoya. Why
and when this place came to be called “Nagoya” is still a question. Yet it used
to be known as the Pantai Baja (Steel Coast), situated between Nongsa and
Sekupang. Nagoya as it was previously known, has been renamed Lubuk Baja. Once
a village of wooden huts and tracks, Lubuk Baja is now a bustling commercial
center complete with high-rise offices and shopping centers. There is quite big
shopping center here. Most commercial houses and banks are located here. It
transforms into a fairyland of light at night as many entertainment facilities
spring to life. Restaurants, cinemas, health clubs, shopping centers, health
spas are but a few of the service industries located here.
Muka Kuning Batamindo Industrial Park
Muka Kuning located certainly on Batam, Muka
Kuning houses the Batamindo Industrial Park. The area’s conducive environment
is home to many electrical and mechanical companies. Supporting the companies
and industrial department is a huge residential complex providing housing to
Batamindo Industrial Park’s 50,000 plus employees. Muka Kuning prides itself on
comprehensive development of ready built factories, power generation,
waterfront access, the nearby Muka Kuning Dam, telecommunication, shops,
markets, banks, postal services, and community centers, which provide sports
and other recreational facilities. Many residents residing in unauthorized
housing areas in Batam have been resettled here.
The East Coast Region
The East Coast Region, which has been called
as the heart and core of the development project for the Batam Island. Heavy
industries, large harbor, Airport, most modern and newly completed network of
roads are located in the region.
Turi Beach Resort
The resort on 50 Hectares of land, offers
Balinese style air conditioned chalets and a main building housing the
reception, conference rooms, restaurants, indoors recreation, a bar and a fund
pub “Jungle Jim’s”. to complete a picture of serenity, a pool with mature palms
and flowering bushes provides a place to escape from city life. Try a dip in
the pool, a snooze in a hammock, a stroll along the beach, watch the sunset and
dance also sing at Jungle Jim’s. If we want some exciting alternatives, try jet
skiing, water skiing, or horse riding.
The Nongsa Beach Resort
A hotel of international standard has
recently been completed on Nongsa Beach Resort. Several modern and new hotels
have been constructed, including the recently completed Batam View Hotel, a 200
rooms facility with swimming pool and tennis court located on a peninsula
facing the Singapore Strait’s. The hotels afford magnificent views of
Singapore, and the coast of Malaysia. The golf course, a complex of cottages
and a motel are under construction near the hotel site.
The Paradise Bay Golf
Resort
One of the most popular attractions, set in a
lush landscape with a sweeping sea view, the golf course is designed to
challenge the experienced golfer and offer pleasure game for the novice. The
ground covers a massive 140 Hectares and the course itself is 84 Hectares,
which is substantially more generous than most resort courses. The courses at
72 par, meets the 18 hole international championship standard. The clubhouse
offers a spectacular view of the course in every direction. It also has prestigious
amenities you would expect from a world-class golfing center. Elegant
restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts are just the
beginning of that the resort offers.
Getting to Waterfront City
The Waterfront City is only a HOP, SKIP and
JUMP from Singapore. We just HOP on a boat which only takes 20 minutes to reach
the city, SKIP through city’s very own ferry terminal and JUMP on a shuttle bus
that would take us to our favorite spot in the resort.From Singapore, bring
along your international Passport and come on down to 02-30, Singapore World
Trade Center to book your ferry. The ferry departs hourly and the ride takes us
to Batam Island. The ferry services sails directly to the Batam Waterfront City
are easy. HOP on our internal or external shuttle bus or also the taxis.
For some other Tour Adventures, an optional
day and night Tour Adventure could be booked at the Batam Waterfront City
travel counter. The island hopping to the off shore islands and yachting are
also available. To satisfy our shopping desires, regular shuttle bus services
or taxis to Nagoya and other are available for a small fee. And to Hang Tuah
Airport, bus transfer is also available.The Indonesian Government intends to
preserve the natural environment in the district to enhance the area’s status
as tourist attractions. Batam is now as the third largest landing site in
Indonesia for tourists, sup-passing Medan in Sumatera. Jakarta is still the
most popular landing destination for foreign visitors with more than 10.000 arrivals
monthly, than Bali with 35.000 foreign visitors every month. Indicating the
rapid expansion of the Tour Adventure sector on the island. A roadway system
will connects tourist facilities with harbor, Airport, and ferry terminals and
with all other centers on the island.
Industries, tourists, traders, and those who
have direct or indirect business with the growth of a strategic industrial
center are welcomed in the Batam Island. This Duty Free Zone island has proved
that the growth of industrial estates with sophisticated technology and modern
facilities, as well as Tour Adventure industry offering unique attractions have
developing well.
The Batam View Beach
Resort
Boasting breathtaking views of the sea and
lush tropical surroundings, it is the perfect setting for us to relax and
unwind. We have our own private beach at The Batam View Beach Resort where we
could swim, build sand castles, have a game of beach volleyball or just lie in
the sun. Exciting sea sports like jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and
canoeing are available for us.
No visit would be complete without the
experience of fine dining at one of the restaurants. From ocean fresh seafood
to Thai Chinese, Indonesian and Western cuisine, they have prepared a delicious
selection of manus for us to taste.The fun does not stop when the sun goes
down. Whatever we needs, whatever we
desires, we could rest assured that here at the Batam View Beach Resort, they
will always go that extra mile to make sure our holiday need is fully
satisfied.
The Bintan Island
The Bintan Resort
To
Bintan Resort is easily accessible by high-speed catamaran from Singapore’s
World Trade Center. It takes approximately one hour, from Singapore, to arrive
at the ferry terminal at Bandar Bentan Telani, which is on Bintan’s northern
coast. Bintan Resorts may be less
than an hour's of catamaran ride away from Singapore, but it's worlds apart in
terms of what we have to offer. The resort-destination spreads across the
northern shores of Bintan and faces the South China Sea, and comprises a good
range of beach resorts and hotels to suit the budgets and needs of all
holiday-makers. Your holiday at Bintan Resorts will not be complete without
experiencing some local nature and heritage tours or exciting adventure
attractions. Occupying areas as large as ±
23.000 Hectares on the northern shores of Bintan Island. Bintan Beach Resort is
believed Asia’s newest and largest integrated resort. Here, the Tour Adventure
s would be greeted by 105 kilometers of pristine white sandy beaches, secluded
coves, crystal clear waters, diverse flora and fauna also and an interesting
range of accommodation.
How about getting up close and personal with some gentle giants of
Sumatera? Try visiting the Bintan Elephant Park and enjoy the entertaining
performance or go for a short trek on elephant back. And for those looking for
a high energy and high speed excitement try go karting at our go kart track or
ATVing through one of our jungle trails. So whether your interest is natural or
cultural heritage or high speed and high energy thrills, we have the experience
to complement your beach, golf and spa stay in Bintan Resorts.
Tanjung Pinang
Tanjung
Pinang, located in southern coast of Bintan, as a busy little port town is the
administrative as well as the trading capital of “Kepulauan Riau Regency” on
Bintan Island. Visited by traders from Jakarta, Medan, Palembang and other big
cities in Indonesia. The town is an eclectic of old and new. Tanjung Pinang is
only a two hours boat ride away from Singapore. Surrounding the town foreshores
are still villages, a traditional Riau housing style that could be found
scattered throughout the islands.
In downtown
area roads are lined with concrete shop houses selling variety of goods and
commodities from foodstuff, electronic goods, antique ceramics to tourist
adventures, handicrafts and souvenirs, while street hawkers line the pavements.
And there is a busy car park where seafood is sold in the evening. Beyond the
town proper, pristine white sandy beaches are natural scenery with traditional
fishing villages as the backdrop, presenting past time nuance so much contrary
amides it’s metropolis neighbors, Batam and Singapore. The town also has a
museum, Kandil or Museum Riau, located on Jalan Katamso. It would be more
memorable if we visit Tanjung Pinang around the 3rd week of November
(18-20), when an international sport event “TheBintan Dragon Boat Race”, take places.
A large
section of the old part of the town is built in traditional local fashion, on
stilts, over the water. Bintan, about twice the size of Singapore, is a good
point of departure from trips to other islands.
Rempang & Galang
The
Rempang and Galang is just South of Batam Island, is the special development
region of Rempang and Galang, part of the Balerang Municipality. The Islands
are being connected together via a network of six bridges and roads with the
total length of 52 Kilometers. Eventually Batam, Rempang, Galang and the
surrounding smaller islands would be accessible by roads and bridges. Rempang
and Galang are being installed with suitable infrastructure to allow for the
development of light industry, agriculture and residential housing, with
special emphasis towards tourist adventures. Plans for the development of
resort hotels, marinas, restaurants, golf courses and other supporting
facilities have been drawn up.
Senggarang
Senggarang
is the place well known for it’s “Chinese Shrines” and considered by the
Chinese was initially an old stilt settlement inhabited only by Bugis People.
Today it’s known more as “China Town”
where many tourist adventures from Singapore, mostly of the Chinese Origin,
come for pilgrimage to the sacred deemed shrines asking for blessing and good
fortune. A rustic fishing village, Senggarang offers the tourist adventures a
race glimpse of lei E-Maily village life. This fishing village is along the
Hulu Riau River, just north of Tanjung Pinang. The long jetty at Kampong Cina
(Chinese Village / China Town) extends for several kilometers and connects
hundreds of houses built on stilts above the water. The villagers are
predominantly Teocheq Chinese, whose the ancestors had chosen to settle here
when Riau was a prosperous commercial center back in the 18th
century.
The
Senggarang boats 5 temples, some of which are well known to Buddhists in this
region and attract thousands of devotees during the weekends. The one of the
oldest temples is the Bayan Temple, so called because a huge ancient Bayan tree
wraps in self around it.
Trikora Beach
Expanse
of azure sea with glittering white sand winding along foreshores as well as
bays lined with waving coconut trees are unforgettable impression of this
marine tourist adventure objects which is around 45 Kilometers away from
Tanjung Pinang.
Penyengat Island
Penyengat
still bears the traces of it are illustrious past. Ruined and abandoned for
almost 70 years and only recently restored, the old ruler’s palace and royal
tombs, among them the grave of the respected Sultan Hajji. The palace ruins are
to be found by those who take the time to explore. On top of as small hill, the
remains of an Old Dutch fort, which looks out across the Straits, could be
found.The most interesting of all is the acoustically perfect mosque built in 1818.
With it’s four twin spires looming above the coconut trees, it looks rather
like fairy tale castle. Reputedly, the yellow mosque is held together with egg
yolks given by loyal subjects to their Sultan on the day of his wedding. With
so many eggs at his disposal, he decided to put them to good use and used the
yolk to cement the mosque. The island also houses a cultural center for
festivals and special ceremonies.
The
Harbors
The
seaport that are gotten in the Riau Province is
the Bagan Siapi-api Port, is located
in the estuary of the Rokan River, Pantai Timur Riau. The Bengkalis port, is located in the south coast of the Island of Bengkalis
Riau. The Tembilahan port, is at a distance of
10 Kilometers from the estuary of the Indragiri River, Riau Province. The Dumai port, is
located in the Rupat Strait, Pantai Timur Riau. The Pekanbaru port, is located in Sungai Siak, 90 Mile from the estuary of the
Riau Province. The Selat Panjang port, is
located in the Kungkung Strait, Pantai Tebing Tinggi, Provinsi Riau. The
Tanjung Pinang port, is located in the
West Coast the Bintan Island power, Provinsi Riau.
The
Airports are
The Airport that are met in the Riau Province among them Airport Dabo, that
was located in Singkep. Airport Japura, was located in the Crack. Airport
Kijang was located in Tanjung Pinang. Airport Simpang Tiga, was located in
Pekanbaru and Airport Hang Nadim is located in Batam Island.
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