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Riau Islands

Riau Islands fully supports plan to treat injured Gazans in Galang Island – Archipelago

by David Harrison – Chief Editor August 11, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

Riau Islands Endorse Palestinian Refugee Hospital Plan

Galang Island Facility Readied for War-Injured

The Riau Islands administration has pledged full backing for the central government’s initiative to establish a medical facility for injured Palestinian refugees on Galang Island.

Regional Support for Humanitarian Mission

Deputy Governor **Nyanyang Haris Pratamura** affirmed the province’s “welcome” for the plan, introduced by President **Prabowo Subianto**. Preparations are set to commence for the facility on the 80-square-kilometer island.

“This is a central government program, and of course we must support it. We hope that through this effort, we can strengthen ties between Indonesia and Palestine,” **Nyanyang** stated on August 8.

The deputy governor, a member of **Prabowo**’s Gerindra Party, conveyed the provincial government’s readiness to assist the national administration proactively.

Galang Island Infrastructure Mobilized

The Riau Islands Health Agency will reportedly reactivate and prepare the existing COVID-19 isolation hospital on Galang Island. This facility is designated for the temporary treatment of Palestinians wounded in the ongoing conflict.

**Nyanyang** assured that the humanitarian effort would not disrupt the investment climate in Batam, emphasizing its apolitical and non-commercial nature.

Global Health Challenges

The initiative comes as global humanitarian organizations grapple with the immense medical needs arising from conflict zones. For example, the World Health Organization reported over 10,000 medical personnel deployed to conflict-affected regions in 2023 to address critical health emergencies (WHO, 2023).

August 11, 2025 0 comments

News

Island in Sumatra to become treatment site for 2,000 wounded Gazans – Middle East and Africa

by David Harrison – Chief Editor August 7, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

Indonesia to Host 2,000 Gazan War Victims for Medical Treatment

Galang Island Designated for Humanitarian Aid Effort

Indonesia is preparing to provide critical medical care for 2,000 Palestinians injured in the ongoing Gaza conflict, utilizing Galang Island as a temporary treatment facility.

Nation’s Humanitarian Mission Expands

The government announced plans to leverage existing infrastructure on Galang, an 80-square-kilometer island in the Riau Islands province, to host and treat the injured Gazans. This initiative is part of a broader humanitarian mission that includes airlifting food and essential supplies via Hercules cargo aircraft.

“President Prabowo Subianto has given an order for Indonesia to assist in the medical treatment of 2,000 Gazans who have fallen victim to the war. They include individuals injured from bombardments, debris or other causes.”

—Hasan Nasbi, Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Head

The directive for this medical assistance was issued during a cabinet meeting. Accompanying family members will reportedly be accommodated in nearby lodging facilities.

Temporary Stay for Healing

Officials stressed that the stay for the 2,000 patients will be temporary, focused solely on their recovery. This isn’t a permanent relocation. Upon the completion of their medical treatments, they will be returned to Gaza. Hasan clarified.

This plan comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates. As of mid-November 2023, the United Nations reported that over 1.5 million people had been displaced in Gaza, many requiring urgent medical attention amidst damaged infrastructure and limited resources (UN OCHA, November 2023).

August 7, 2025 0 comments

World

Malaysian Tourists Use QRIS to Make 5,000 Transactions in Riau Islands, Indonesia

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor July 9, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

TEMPO.CO, Batam – The Bank Indonesia Representative Office for the Riau Islands Province (KPw BI Kepri) reported that cross-border use of the Indonesian Standard Quick Response Code (QRIS) by foreign tourists from Malaysia has exceeded 5,000 transactions.

“Malaysia still dominates inbound transactions with more than 5,000 transactions, far surpassing Singapore, which is much closer. This is a challenge for us to continue educating Singaporean tourists that QRIS is more efficient than exchanging cash,” said Rony Widijarto, Head of the KPw BI Kepri, in Batam on Tuesday.

He said that by mid-2025, there were 5,920 inbound QRIS transactions from Malaysian tourists in the Riau Islands.

This figure, according to Rony, surpasses the 1,252 inbound QRIS transactions recorded by foreign tourists from Singapore during the same period.

He said the growth in inbound Malaysian tourists demonstrates that cross-border QRIS acceptance in the Riau Islands aligns with national trends and is gaining increasing trust among international tourists, particularly from neighboring countries.

“QRIS is no longer just a domestic issue. With cross-border QRIS, Malaysian and Singaporean tourists can make transactions directly in Batam or the Riau Islands without the hassle of exchanging currency or incurring additional fees,” he said.

Rony explained that cross-border QRIS transactions allow tourists to pay directly in their respective currencies. Meanwhile, merchants continue to accept payments in rupiah.

BI Riau Islands continues to encourage the use of cross-border QRIS in the trade and tourism sectors, hoping to increase cross-border transactions.

“Local merchants don’t need to worry, because payments are automatically converted directly to rupiah. This makes the process more practical and secure, for both merchants and tourists,” Rony said.

Based on records from the Bank Indonesia Representative Office in the Riau Islands Province, the volume of cross-border QRIS usage in Thailand from August 2023 to April 2025 reached 852 transactions with a value of Rp45.45 million, while in Malaysia reached 54,250 with a value of Rp15.29 billion in the same period, and in Singapore reached 10,759 with a value of Rp3.69 billion in the same period.

Editor’s Choice: List of Countries That Can Use QRIS, Japan and China Starting August 17, 2025

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July 9, 2025 0 comments