TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam) lamented the accusation voiced by the Head of the Indonesian Ombudsman Representative for the Riau Islands, Lagat P. Siadari. Earlier, Lagat questioned the agency’s data on 300 families in Rempang Island who are already willing to be relocated.

Ariastuty Sirait, a spokesperson for BP Batam, stressed that the data of 300 families collected by the team in the field could be accounted for.

“The data on residents who have registered [for the relocation] is also held by the data collection and outreach team,” Tuty said in a press release on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Ariastuty said the field team continued to collect data and disseminate the Rempang Eco City to Rempang residents. As of Wednesday, September 27, she said 317 families have agreed to be relocated.

“Only three families have moved, the rest of the people are still staying while finding their own housing. There are also people who are ready to occupy the houses provided by BP Batam,” she said.

Therefore, Ariastuty called on all parties to create a conducive situation for the development of Rempang Eco City to run well by prioritizing friendly and gentle approaches so as to bring a multiplier effect for the surrounding area and open up new job opportunities for the people of the Riau Islands.

“Let's work together to create a conducive condition to achieve economic progress and development, as well as social welfare,” Ariastuty said.

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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