Residents Firmly Refuse to Be Relocated from Rempang Island

The community refused to be relocated because of their strong ties to their village. Moreover, residents do not believe the promises of government officials and politicians who are now nearing the end of their term of office.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Warga Kukuh Menolak Direlokasi dari Pulau Rempang

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Two residents were walking in a fishermen settlement in Pasir Panjang Village, Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands on Tuesday (9/19/2023).

BATAM, KOMPAS - Residents are insisting on rejecting the relocation of their residence on Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands. They do not believe in the promises of officials and politicians, especially since their terms are about to end.

Arahim (52), a resident of Pasir Panjang Village, Rempang Cate Sub-District, stated that he and his family will remain in the village that is planned to be affected by the initial relocation. The location is included in the 4 priority relocation villages. He is determined not to be relocated.

"This is our place of origin since our grandparents’ time. Here is our village and our history. We do not want to be relocated. Whatever happens, we will risk our lives," said a man who works as a fisherman, on Tuesday (19/9/2023).

Also Read: Rempang Island Residents Ask for Officials to Be Withdrawn

Arahim is not interested in the government's promises to replace houses and land in Galang Island, as well as compensation for waiting time and rental costs. He is more comfortable living in his village.

"Even though our house is in the form of a shack like this, we do not want to be moved. Even though sometimes we cannot catch fish, we can still eat well and sleep soundly," he said.

Arahim emphasized that local residents do not want to hinder development. He welcomes investments as long as they do not disturb his village.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

A fisherman is tidying up his net in Pasir Panjang Village, Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (19/9/2023).

Suhaida (42), a resident of Kampung Sembulang, in the Sembulang sub-district, also refused relocation. Her reason was that her family has a strong attachment to the village, which they have inhabited since the time of their ancestors. "It was our forefathers who founded this village. We don't want to move to a new place," she said.

According to Suhaida, in addition to history and identity, another reason why she does not want to move is the same as Arahim's. They do not believe in the promises of the government and politicians.

The agreement letter given to the residents only bears the signatures of the district head and village head. The houses and land promised as compensation for the national strategic project (PSN) investment are also unclear in their form.

"The mayor's term is only 2 months left. When he is no longer the mayor, who can we demand if promises are not fulfilled? We won't get anything. The promised thing is a forest, but now the government is opening new roads," he said.

Also Read: Socialization Intensified, Rempang Island Residents Reluctant to Register for Relocation

On Tuesday afternoon, observation in the affected old villages like Pasir Panjang and Sembulang showed that the rejection by residents against relocation plans is getting stronger. The affected residents are also increasingly anxious and worried about unknown people entering the village, including journalists, because they are suspected to be part of the government.

"What is broadcasted sometimes does not match what we conveyed during the interview," said Roziana, a resident of Kampung Sembulang.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Officials explained the registration requirements for the relocation of residents affected by investment in Pasir Panjang Village, Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (19/9/2023).

Residents are also almost giving up because government officials seem to ignore their aspirations. When they met with Minister Bahlil on Monday, they were not given the opportunity to speak.

To prevent stress and solitude at home, affected residents, especially women, gather and entertain each other. "With this, we can strengthen each other," said Roziana.

We do not want to be relocated. Whatever happens, we will risk our lives.

The situation has turned around for the local indigenous community organization, Paguyuban Kekerabatan Masyarakat Adat Tempatan (Keramat), which previously staunchly opposed the relocation of 16 old villages on Rempang Island. Their stance has begun to change since meeting with the Minister of Investment or the Head of the Investment Coordinating Board, Bahlil Lahadalia, on September 17-18, with the organization now supporting the project.

Spokesperson Keramat Suardi introduced the investment of Rempang Eco City to around 20 residents in Kampung Pasir Panjang on Tuesday afternoon. Generally, the attendees of the socialization rejected the relocation policy for their village.

"If indeed the community is determined to uphold their dignity, status, honor, and reputation, we, as the trustee of the agreement (with Minister Bahlil) last night, will convey it directly to Mr. Bahlil," he said.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Keramat organization spokesperson, Suardi, is socializing about the relocation of four old villages affected by investment on Rempang Island to the citizens of Pasir Panjang Village, Rempang Cate Subdistrict, Galang District, Batam City, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (9/19/2023).

Suardi explained that over the past 8 months, his organization has been fighting to prevent the relocation of 16 old villages on Rempang Island. However, despite their efforts, Keramat was unable to save 4 of the affected villages from the initial investment.

"We sincerely apologize. We did not defend it. As a result of our efforts, the residents were relocated to Tanjung Banon and Dapur 6 (Rempang Island). Its nature is not yet final. The final decision will be made after I meet with the Deputy Minister of Investment," he said.

Also Read: Minister of Investment Considers Proposal for Permanent Relocation Place on Rempang Island

Previously, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia met with Keramat figures at Gerisman Ahmad's residence, the organization's chairman, in Kampung Pantai Melayu, Rempang Cate Village, on Sunday (17/9/2023) evening. Both parties held a dialogue and agreed on several things. The results of the agreement were conveyed to the public a day later.

One of the agreements is that Bahlil considers Keramat's proposal to keep the relocation site of the 4 old villages affected by the investment on Pulau Keramat. Then, the graves of the ancestors will not be dismantled and residents are free to visit anytime. He also promised to create a museum to commemorate the history of the old villages affected by the investment.

"We agree that the relocations are still within the area of Pulau Rempang. I conveyed this to Gerisman and Suardi (spokespersons for Keramat), that if this is indeed done for the good and still within the Rempang village, as long as it does not disturb the current master plan (investment main plan), then we will discuss it together," said Bahlil on Monday (18/9/2023).

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia (center) accompanied by the Chairman of the Indigenous Community Association (Keramat) Gerisman (2nd from the right) and Keramat spokesperson Suardi (2nd from the left) discussed the settlement of agrarian conflicts in Kampung Pantai Melayu, Rempang Cate Village, Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands on Monday (18/9/2023).

On that occasion, Bahlil reiterated the form of compensation for residents affected by relocation. These include, among others, a 45-square-meter house priced at IDR 120 million and land measuring 500 square meters with a certificate of ownership status. If the assets owned by the residents exceed the compensation value, the Batam Development Agency will pay the excess.

In addition, according to Bahlil, residents are also given transitional allowance until their new homes are ready, which is Rp 1.2 million per person per month and Rp 1.2 million for rental expenses per household.

Also Read: Government Promises to Fulfill Residents' Rights on Rempang Island

Chronology The agrarian conflict on Rempang Island began when BP Batam planned to relocate the island's entire population of around 7,500 people to support the development of the Rempang Eco City project (Kompas, 9/9/2023).

This effort is opposed by the local island residents. The native residents consist of the Malay tribe, Orang Laut tribe, and Orang Darat tribe. They have been occupying 16 old villages in Pulau Rempang since at least 1834. For the first phase of the Rempang Eco City project, the government plans to relocate residents from 4 out of the 16 villages on Pulau Rempang.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Residents are taking photos of the newly opened road in the Dapur 3 area of Galang Island, which will become the relocation site for four old villages impacted by investments on Rempang Island, Batam City, Riau Islands on Tuesday (19/9/2023). The promised type 45 houses worth IDR 120 million and 500 square meter land for affected residents have not taken shape yet as they are still to be built.

The Head of BP Batam and also the Mayor of Batam, Muhammad Rudi, stated that there are at least 700 families living in four villages covering an area of 2,000 hectares. Three of the villages have to be relocated because a Chinese investment in the glass industry will be built there. The other village must also be relocated in order to build the iconic Rempang Eco City tower.

Rudi mentioned that the government will prepare a land area of 450 hectares on Galang Island for the relocation of Pulau Rempang residents. A total of 2,700 type 45 houses will be built. Each house will stand on a land area of 500 square meters.

In addition to housing, the government will also prepare the installation of piped water, electricity, roads, telecommunications, fishermen's docks, and loading and unloading ports. Fishing families will also receive assistance with fishing equipment.