Government Postpones Relocation of Rempang Island Residents

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Batam Authority (BP Batam) has once again delayed the planned relocation of hundreds of families residing on Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands Province. Initially scheduled for September 1, 2024, the relocation of 189 families has been postponed to September 25.

Sazani, Head of Public Relations at BP Batam, attributed the postponement to the unavailability of land certificates (SHM) prepared for the residents. “In the initial phase, we will relocate three families to their new homes on September 25,” he wrote in a press release received on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Rempang residents will be relocated to new homes constructed by the government in the Tanjung Banun area, Batam City. BP Batam has pledged to provide replacement homes commensurate with the value of the residents' old homes. Additionally, the government guarantees financial assistance of Rp1.2 million per person for 12 months to cover living expenses.

According to Sazani, the relocation process from Rempang Island to Tanjung Banun will be conducted in stages due to weather-related delays in the construction of houses in Tanjung Banun. 

“However, the overall process is ongoing. We anticipate that the relocation of other residents currently residing in temporary housing can be completed by the end of September,” he added.

At present, BP Batam is finalizing the construction of at least 60 new housing units in Tanjung Banun. Some of these units are nearing completion. Sazani aims to have 20 housing units ready for occupancy by mid-September.

The government is actively relocating 16 old villages on Rempang Island to accommodate the development of the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project (PSN). This project, spanning 7,500 hectares, is expected as an integrated tourism area in collaboration with the Chinese company Xinyi Group. Rempang Island itself covers an area of 16,500 hectares.

The government has stated that the investment value of Rempang Eco City will reach US$11.5 billion or Rp117 trillion. For this reason, since April 2023, BP Batam has been tasked with relocating 2,632 families living on Rempang Island. BP Batam had previously requested the community to vacate their villages by September 7, 2023.

The government's eviction plan faced strong opposition from nearly all residents of Rempang Island. The resistance led to clashes between the police and residents, resulting in injuries to dozens of people on Bridge 4, Barelang, Batam City. One of the victims, Ridwan, 62, sustained a head injury requiring nine stitches after being struck by a police rubber bullet.

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) urged the government to halt all project development activities and relocation plans. They recommended that the government prioritize addressing the rights of the residents. Despite this recommendation, the government has shown a tendency to disregard it and prioritize the interests of investors in proceeding with the Rempang Eco City project.

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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