Batam Urged to Stop Rempang Eco-City Project
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7 September 2023 19:33 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Batam - The civil coalition asked the joint forces to stop the violent acts against the residents of Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands Province which occurred today, September 7, 2023. They also asked the national strategic project (PSN) of Rempang Eco-City to be stopped.
“The Indonesian Navy and the police are the state's tools to launch the ambition of developing the Rempang Eco-City area which requires the displacement of 16 Kampung Melayu Tua or literally Old Malay Villages that have existed since 1834,” the coalition said in a written statement received by Tempo, Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Residents are arrested and children are injured
The coalition observed that a clash between the indigenous peoples and security forces occurred this morning at around 10 a.m. The joint officers using tactical vehicles attempted to forcibly enter Rempang Island to install boundary markers and prepare for the project.
The joint forces arrested locals who gathered at the entrance gate of the island and blocked their way. At least six residents were detained, dozens of people were injured, several children were traumatized, and one child was injured by tear gas fired by the authorities.
Low civil participation in Rempang eco-city project
Executive Director of the National Forum for Environment (Walhi) Zenzi Suhadi said the Rempang eco-city is one of the national strategic projects as stipulated in the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs’ Regulation No. 7 of 2023. According to him, the government set aside the voices of the indigenous people in the development project.
This is why the residents objected to the project plan. Zenzi also opined that the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Management Agency (BP Batam), the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) designed the program without the community's approval.
“On this basis, we civil society in Riau, the National Civil Society, and 28 WALHI Regional Executive Offices ask the President to take a firm stance to cancel this program that has resulted in clashes and has the potential to eliminate the land rights and the traditional identity of the community in 16 Kampung Melayu Tua in Rempang,” Zenzi stressed.
YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA
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