TEMPO.CO, Batam - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has finally issued Presidential Decree (Perpres) No. 78 of 2023 as the basis for the Rempang Eco-City project in Batam City, Riau Islands Province. The decree was signed on December 8, 2023.

Perpres 78/2023 also amends Perpres No. 62 of 2018 on the handling of social impacts in the land provision for national development.

Muhammad Rudi, the Head of the Batam Development Authority (BP Batam) and Batam Mayor, explained that the fundamental difference between the two decrees is related to regional governance. In Decree 62/2023, the regional leaders are the governor, mayor, and regent, while Decree 78/2023 notes that the regional leaders also include the head of the Batam Concession Agency of Free Trade Zone and Free Port (KPBPB Batam).

“Batam is specifically administered by BP Batam so BP Batam is included in the decree to resolve the issues surrounding the Rempang Eco-City,” Rudi told journalists after socialization of the Presidential Decree No. 78 of 2023 at the Swiss-Belhotel, Batam, on Monday, December 18.

He claimed that his side invited not only Rempang residents but also the whole community in Batam to prevent misinformation. However, he was silent when asked about crucial matters regulated by the decree, Rudi

“I cannot explain this Presidential Decree one by one. But the point is that this (Perpres) gives authority to the government, governor, mayor, and head of BP Batam. Because BP Batam is the leading authority, BP Batam will solve this Rempang problem,” Rudi emphasized.

He confirmed that the Rempang Eco-City project would kick-start in areas where land use rights have been granted for 146 hectares. “To build a place for the people who are affected by the relocation,” he said.

Residents have been asked to leave the area and have been living in temporary housing since November. “Hopefully, their permanent housing will be completed in less than a year,” Rudi hoped.

He also underlined that his side would disseminate the latest regulations to the Rempang residents. “Once that's done, we will execute the project,” he said.

In response to the many residents who still oppose the Rempang Eco-City in their old villages, Rudi gave a short answer. “Let’s pray that everyone can accept [the development of Rempang Eco-City].”

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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