Dumai

Dumai – A Window into Sumatra's eastern charms

Situated on the coast of the eastern island of Sumatra, Dumai is a city in Riau Province, covering an area of 1,727 square kilometers with a population of around 330 thousand (as of 2022). Boasting a strategic location overlooking the Malacca Strait, the city's port, nestled along a bustling sea route, contributes to its vibrancy within the Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) zone.

The name Dumai originates from folklore involving the Seven Princesses, where the words " “lubuk" (literally means Benthic zone) and "umai" (a type of porcupine) merged over time to become "d'umai" and then "Dumai." In the 1930s, Dumai was a small fishing village, whose population grew when Japan brought in forced laborers from Java.

Dumai's status evolved from a village (1945-1959) to part of Rupat District (1959-1963), then to an independent kawedanan (1963-1964). It became Sumatra's first administrative city in 1979 under the Bengkalis Regency and later achieved municipality status in 1999, becoming Dumai City. The city’s administrative upgrades aimed to improve governance, service delivery, community involvement, and economic development. Dumai City's official birthday is April 27, marking the start of the first mayor's term in 1999.

Dumai offers an array of pristine beaches, including Teluk Makmur Beach in Medang Kampai District. Further east, Batrem Hill boasts Lake Bunga Tujuh, a favorite among locals for its stunning scenery and abundant flora and fauna amidst dense forest surroundings.

Notably, Dumai is a significant oil-producing hub, hosting one of Indonesia's largest refineries. Economically, the city recorded its investment realization in 2023 at Rp 4.53 trillion comprising Rp 2.74 trillion of foreign investment and Rp 1.79 trillion of domestic investment, with 54 foreign companies and 302 domestic companies operating in the city.

In 2023, the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) stood at Rp 49.03 trillion, the majority of which is contributed by Processing Industry at 61.25 percent, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade; Car and Motorcycle Repair at 13.97 percent, and Construction at 10.88 percent.