Protest Against Rempang Eco-City Project Ends in Chaos; 14 People Arrested, 15 Police Injured
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12 September 2023 10:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Batam - A mass demonstration against the relocation of the Malay villages on Rempang Island on Monday, September 11, ended in chaos. At least 14 people were arrested by the Barelang Police after the police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Barelang Police Chief Sr. Comr. Nugroho Tri N said some of them are not Rempang natives, but Malay residents living off the island. A minor who claimed to be 15 years old was also arrested.
Nugroho lamented the chaos. “When there are provocateurs, they (the protesters) become anarchists like this,” he said on Monday.
He also said that 15 police officers were injured as the crowds threw stones. There was also damage to the windows and fence of the Free Trade Zone and Free Port Authority or BP Batam office. “We will summon the person responsible for this action,” Nugroho added.
“We have managed to disperse them. Hopefully, this will calm the situation. Don't be provoked into such chaos,” he urged.
Police fired tear gas and water cannons during the demonstration to push the protesters back to the office of the Batam Malay Traditional Institute (LAM). Under this pressure, the protesters were forced to retreat.
Although they had entered the LAM Batam office, the police continued to spray them with tear gas. Some of the protesters were even rushed to the nearest health facility. By the evening, the situation was under control and the crowds gradually returned to their homes.
Thousands of indigenous Malays staged a demonstration in front of the office of the BP Batam on Monday, September 11, 2023. They voiced rejection of the relocation of 16 old villages on Rempang Island, which will be developed into Rempang Eco-City as part of the government’s 2023 national strategic projects (PSN).
YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA
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