Pekanbaru city

Pekanbaru City is the capital and largest city in the province of Riau, Indonesia. This city is one of the largest economic centers in the eastern part of Sumatra Island, and is a city with a high rate of growth, migration and urbanization. This city originated from a market (weekend) founded by Minangkabau traders on the banks of the Siak River. The anniversary of this city is set on 23 June 1784. Pekanbaru City is growing rapidly with the development of industries, especially those related to petroleum, as well as the implementation of regional autonomy.

Pekanbaru has one international airport, namely Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport and intercity and inter-provincial bus terminals at Payung Sekaki Airport, as well as two ports on the Siak River, namely Pelita Pantai and Sungai Duku. Currently Pekanbaru City is rapidly developing into a multi-ethnic trading city, this diversity has become a social capital in achieving common interests to be utilized for the welfare of its people. (wikipedia)

 

History

The development of this city was initially inseparable from the function of the Siak River as a means of transportation in distributing crops from the interior and highlands of the Minangkabau to the coastal area of ​​the Malacca Strait. In the 18th century, the Senapelan area on the banks of the Siak River, became a market (weekend) for Minangkabau traders. Over time, this area developed into a bustling residential area. On 23 June 1784, based on the deliberation of the "Council of Ministers" of the Siak Sultanate, which consisted of four ethnic groups (Pesisir, Limapuluh, Tanah Datar, and Kampar), this area was named Pekanbaru, and was later celebrated as the city's anniversary.

Based on the Besluit van Het Inlandsch Zelfbestuur van Siak No.1 dated 19 October 1919, Pekanbaru became part of the district of the Siak Sultanate. However, in 1931, Pekanbaru was included in the Kampar Kiri region headed by a controleur who was domiciled in Pekanbaru and had landschap status until 1940. Then it became the capital of the Kampar Kiri spare part until 1942. After the Japanese occupation on March 8, 1942, Pekanbaru was headed by a military governor called gokung.

After Indonesian independence, based on the Decree of the Governor of Sumatra in Medan dated May 17, 1946 Number 103, Pekanbaru was made an autonomous region called Haminte or Kotapraja. Then on March 19, 1956, based on Law Number 8 of 1956 of the Republic of Indonesia, Pekanbaru (Pakanbaru) became an autonomous area of ​​a small town within the province of Central Sumatra. Furthermore, since August 9, 1957 based on Emergency Law Number 19 Year 1957 of the Republic of Indonesia, Pekanbaru has entered the newly formed Riau Province. Pekanbaru City officially became the capital of Riau Province on January 20, 1959 based on Kepmendagri December 52 / I / 44-25, previously the capital was Tanjungpinang (now the capital of the Riau Islands Province). (wikipedia)

Religions

The pluralism surrounding the city can be reflected by the variety of religions and freedom of belief among the people in Pekanbaru. Islam is the majority religion in this city, followed by Christianity (Protestantism and Catholic) as well as Buddhism and small percentage of Hinduism and Confucianism. Each religion in this city is represented by the presence of the religion's respective worship places, such as The Great Mosque of An-Nur (Mesjid Agung An-nur) and Mesjid Raya Pekanbaru for the Muslim community, St. Maria A Fatima Church and St. Paulus Church for the Catholic community, HKBP Church for the Protestant community as well as Vihara Dharma Loka and Vihara Sasana Loka for the Buddhist and Confucian community and Pura Agung Jagatnatha for the Hindu community in Pekanbaru.

Economy

After oil was discovered in the region in the 1930s, Pekanbaru's economy has depended heavily on oil revenues which caused the city to have the highest per capita income in Indonesia. Most of Indonesia's petroleum is produced in Riau, and much of Pekanbaru's economy is based on the petroleum industry. International oil companies, prominently Chevron from the US, as well as other Indonesian companies, have established their offices in the region. The city is connected by road to an oil refining and exporting port in Dumai. Many facilities and infrastructures such as an airport, stadiums, housing areas, schools, bridges that cross the Siak River in Pekanbaru, the roads in Rumbai and the roads to Dumai, were partially or fully financed by oil companies in the area.

Pekanbaru is really close with some of the home of mega-companies, such as PT Riau Andalan Pulp Paper, PT. Indah Kiat, PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara V and some wood-sawmill, CPOs, and rubber-processing companies, and Pekanbaru is often said to be one of the cities with the highest money and banking rotation in Indonesia.

As Pekanbaru is prominently known as a major gateway for tourists from Singapore and Malaysia, the city has become a favourite stop-over for travellers before they go further inland to other regions of Sumatra Island such as Padang and Jambi. The Pasar Pusat (Central Market) is a food-trip destination and considered a household-goods trove. Pasar Bawah and Pasar Tengah, located near to the port and Siak riverbank, are especially known for the marketplace for buying and selling of Chinese goods like ceramics and carpets.

Around 127,000 foreign tourists arrived in Pekanbaru through its airport during 2018.

On the other hand, there are many developments of shopping malls such as Plaza Senapelan, Plaza Citra, Plaza Sukaramai, Mal Pekanbaru, Mal SKA, Sadira Plaza, Living World, Transmart Mini Studio, Mal Ciputra Seraya, Lotte Mart, Metropolitan Trade Center, The Central, Ramayana, Robinson, Metro, and Giant Grocery Store. Additionally, there are a lot of housing areas have been developed since the 2000s surrounding the city, particularly in Panam area whereby the housing project along the road has been tremendously established and now becoming one of the most populous area in Pekanbaru even though it is located far from downtown.

Favorably, there are several landmarks that have been built in this city. For example, The Great Mosque of An-nur, Mesjid Raya Pekanbaru, Pasar Bawah or Tourist Market, Riau Bank Tower, Riau Government Office Tower, Siak IV Bridge, Zapin Dance Monument and there are many more to come.

food

Pekanbaru specialties are known as the most delicious food. The use of spices that are not stingy and a wide variety of choices has made him never lose his fans. Here are 10 of Pekanbaru's most famous specialties.

1. Patin fish curry

        This food is a daily diet of Pekanbaru residents. Patin fish curry eaten with warm rice and other         side dishes. Patin fish curry consists of quite large pieces of catfish and yellow curry sauce.

    It is not difficult to find this food, because many are scattered in food stalls or restaurants around the     city of Pekanbaru.

 

2. Nasi lemak

Nasi lemak is actually a typical Malay food. However, because the population of Pekanbaru is mostly Malay, this food is often found there. Nasi lemak consists of savory rice and various side dishes such as anchovies, omelette, fried chicken and so on. Don't forget the chili paste which makes nasi lemak even more delicious.

3. Miso

Miso is not only in Japan, but Pekanbaru also has it. Pekanbaru miso is different from Japanese miso. Miso in Pekanbaru is a soup consisting of yellow noodles, white noodles, fried chicken skin, shredded chicken, and dried tofu. The price is sold around Rp. 15,000 - Rp. 20,000 only. Suitable for breakfast or lunch.

4. Sate daging rusa

Chicken or beef satay is common. But what about venison satay? Only in Pekanbaru can you find deer meat satay. Venison is no less delicious than beef or chicken. Especially if it's processed into satay, the sensation is even more delicious. This food is worth a try when visiting Pekanbaru.

 5. Es Laksamana Mengamuk

Apart from Pekanbaru specialties, there are also typical drinks from the capital of Riau. One of them is the rampaging ice admiral which is perfect for enjoying during a hot day. This drink consists of kweni fruit, coconut milk, and brown sugar.

Apart from its fresh and sweet taste, this drink has a unique history behind it. Historically, this ice appeared because there was an admiral who went berserk. The similarity went berserk in the kweni fruit garden.

As a result, all the fruit is scattered. Then the residents were confused about what to do with all these fruits. Then a resident appeared who had the initiative to make a drink from the kweni fruit. The ice admiral went berserk.