Children on Rempang Island Possibly Traumatized, Says Ministry Official

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy for Special Child Protection at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Nahar, said that children on Rempang Island may have experienced trauma as a result of the clash between the authorities and Rempang residents last week.

“Seeing what happened yesterday, children may experience trauma or anxiety,” Nahar said in his statement on Monday, September 11.

The PPPA Ministry assessed that children affected by the clash need assistance to prevent prolonged psychological effects. Strengthening schools and parents is necessary to support the recovery of the child's condition. Nahar also called for better monitoring and protection of children to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

Nahar acknowledged that during the chaos on Rempang Island, students ran out of the school to save themselves, and some of them were also seen crying. “This is a response to a negative event and shows that they were panicked and scared at the time of the incident,” he added.

The PPPA Ministry continued to coordinate with the Batam Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Women and Child Protection (UPTD PPA) team.

He hoped that the Batam Government could prevent such conflicts from recurring by maintaining peaceful conditions in society, developing a peaceful dispute resolution system, and reducing potential conflicts.

Chaos erupted on Rempang Island when BP Batam officers went to peg and measure the land on September 7. Rempang residents rejected the plan to clear the land which will be developed into Rempang Eco City and blocked the authorities' way.

Videos circulating on social media showed children were running away as tear gas was fired by the authorities towards their school. The school was filled with smoke. Teachers took some students to escape through the back door of the school.

As a result, eleven children were rushed to the Batam Regional Hospital with eye pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath due to exposure to tear gas that was fired by the authorities.

ANTARA | YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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