Jakarta, IO – The conflicts in the Rempang EcoCity project on Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands, have garnered public attention, particularly after the acts of violence recorded on September 7, 2023.
On that unfortunate day, joint forces from the National Police, the Indonesian Armed Forces, the Directorate of Asset Security (Ditpam) of Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam) and the Municipal Police (Satpol PP) took ruthless actions on the locals on Bridge 4 Barelang. This incident occurred due to site pegging activities, a process in the Rempang Eco-City project. Rempng Eco-City is an initiative developed by BP Batam and PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG).
Protests continued on Monday, September 11, 2023, when around 1,000 people gathered outside the BP Batam building to oppose residents’ eviction for the construction of Rempang Eco-City. Protesters hurled bottles and stones at government buildings, and the Police responded with water cannon and tear gas. Forty-three demonstrators were arrested. The industrial park has received an $11.5 billion investment commitment from Chinese glass manufacturer Xinyi Group, but now it faces stalwart resistance from the locals. It is estimated that around 7,500 residents will be evicted for the park construction.
The Rempang Eco-City plan has been embroiled in many human rights violations.
The initial findings in the investigation of violence and human rights violations on September 7, 2023, by nine institutions, such as YLBHI, WALHI and Kontras, in National Solidarity for Rempang, revealed five potential human rights violations:
First, on September 7, 2023, unlawful arrests of eight residents. Article 66 of Law 32/2009 states that anyone who fights for the right to a decent and healthy living environment cannot be prosecuted by criminal code or sued by civil law, yet these arrests were made.
Second, the firing of tear gas near Elementary School 24 and Junior High School 22 Galang has caused panic, fear and physical injuries to the students. Also, the Rempang Eco-City project seems to ignore the role and aspirations of Malay women who have lived on the land for generations.
Third, after the brutal September 7 incident, the joint forces imposed security measures on Rempang Island. At least five security posts were set up on Rempang Island to screen people entering the island.
Fourth, from July to August 2023, the locals of Rempang Island received threats of criminalization through requisitions from various government agencies. The threats cite various articles related to unlawful acts, such as obstruction of investment, illegal land occupation and so on.
Fifth, the violations occurring in Rempang have broken several human rights instruments, including human rights values in the Constitution, Human Rights Law 39/1999 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia has ratified.