TEMPO.CO, Batam - The Batam Free Zone Authority or BP Batam denied allegations of abuse of power concerning the Rempang Eco-City project's social impacts, assuring that it has been working according to the existing regulations.

At a press conference in Batam, on Friday, December 22, 2023, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) accused BP Batam of maladministration and criminal acts in addressing the social impacts in Rempang before Presidential Regulation No. 78 of 2023 was issued.

According to YLBHI, BP Batam's authority to manage Rempang was valid only after the issuance of the Presidential Decree. However, long before the decree was passed, BP Batam had taken many actions in Rempang, including the deployment of an integrated team of various officials to forcibly measure land by force on September 7, 2023.

“This is against the law, and it could be classified as an abuse of power. And when there is an abuse of power, it opens the door for corruption,” said Edy Kurniawan, a member of the YLBHI advocacy team, adding that his side was investigating the allegations to file a report.

Sudirman Saad, a member of BP Batam’s Area Management and Investment, emphasized that the actions taken by BP Batam before Presidential Decree 78 of 2023 were based on existing law.

“There is the Environment Minister’s Decree regarding the approval of HPK (Converted Production Forest),” said Sudirman, who is also the chairman of the project’s integrated team for social impacts, on Wednesday, January 10.

He also stressed that BP Batam did not give money directly to residents, except for house rent and living expenses. “I don't understand what act of corruption is in this,” Sudirman told journalists.

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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