Chaidir, the speaker of Riau's provincial assembly, concedes that Riau's regents have a spendthrift penchant for prestige projects.

ECONOMIST: Devolution isn't working as planned

Riau, for example, produces more than 70% of the nation's oil and gas.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

Tabrani Rab, a Riau native and member of the central-government committee overseeing the devolution system, is more worried about corruption.

ECONOMIST: Devolution isn't working as planned