President Joko Widodo Visits Riau Province

Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - President Joko Widodo arrived at Pekanbaru in Sumatra province, Riau, on Wednesday.

Regional officials welcomed the President who is on a working visit.

The visit is part of his tour of several regions in Sumatra, starting from Lampung, over the past few days.

The main focus of his visit is the issue of land and forest fires in the province.

The problem, which has been going on for some 17 years, is getting worse and has caused tensions with neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.

The TNI (military) has prepared three helicopters for the President to inspect several fire-prone areas. The helicopters have been brought from Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya has been in Pekanbaru since Tuesday.

President Joko Widodo will take the opportunity to meet with the people in Sungai Tohor, Meranti Island district.

He will also visit Tesso Nilo National Park and Giam Siak Keci-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, and will halt at Meranti island for a short break. He will take his return route via Padang island and Zamrud lake.

After visiting the forest fire-prone areas, President Joko Widodo is scheduled to meet with the people in Pasar Bawah, a tourist market in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province.