The Importance of Public Information Openness
Public information openness is a basic principle in democracy, which ensures that the public has the right to know and access information related to policies, programs and activities carried out by the Government or other public entities.
Regarding Rempang Eco-City and public policy, public information transparency can increase accountability, increase participation, prevent corruption, protect human rights, support sustainable development and increase public trust.
Information disclosure ensures that all interested parties, especially communities directly affected by the project, receive accurate, unabridged and timely information. This is important to ensure that people’s rights are respected and fulfilled.
Information openness allows for constructive dialogue between the Government, developers and the community. With information transparency, the public can provide constructive input, criticism and suggestions for the projects, to minimize the potential for conflict.
Information transparency ensures accountability from all parties involved in the project. With transparent information, the public and third parties can monitor the responsible parties to prevent potential abuse of power, corruption and other violations.
Information openness ensures that the project is implemented according to human rights principles. In the context of Rempang Eco-City, many communities are directly affected by the project. Thus, the Government and developers must ensure that community rights are respected and fulfilled.
Information transparency ensures that the project is run in consideration of environmental, social and cultural impacts. With transparent information, potential detrimental effects of the project on the environment and society can be identified and prevented.
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Unfortunately, the above facts convey that public information disclosure is far from being optimal in the Rempang Island case. The strong protests explicitly show the lack of information disclosure regarding the Rempang Eco-City project, which was called a “Strategic National Project” by the central government.
With the massive amount of investment in the project and the potential impacts it could have on the community and environment on Rempang Island, public information disclosure must be performed by BP Batam, the authorities and the central government.