12-9-2023 (JAKARTA) A mass demonstration against the relocation of a Malay village on Rempang Island resulted in the arrest of at least 27 individuals, according to a report by Detik. The protest, which took place on Monday (Sep. 11), turned violent as clashes erupted between demonstrators and police officers, leaving 16 officers with severe injuries that required treatment at the Bhayangkara Regional Police Hospital.
The demonstration, attended by over 1,000 people, occurred in front of the Badan Pengusahaan (BP) office in Batam City, Riau Island, as reported by Kompas. The BP office is a government institution responsible for the management, development, and construction of designated zones. Protesters included members of the Malay community from Riau Island, as well as residents from West Sumatra and West Kalimantan. They gathered to express their solidarity and opposition to the relocation of traditional villages due to the Rempang Eco City Project.
Ini baru namanya kebangkitan dan jiwa Melayu sebenarnya. Solidariti antar kaum dan bangsa. Batam, Riau (kampung Melayu pulau Rempang). pic.twitter.com/7jlwOPruZZ
— Amir Yogi / أمير يوغي / Αμίρ Γιόγκι (@amiryogi) September 11, 2023
This marked the second demonstration held at the BP Batam office. Initially peaceful when it began around 9 am, the situation escalated around noon when the crowd started hurling stones and bottles at the building, causing damage and injuries. The police responded with the use of water cannons and tear gas.
The conflict arose from the BP agency’s plan to relocate the entire population of Rempang Island, which is home to approximately 7,500 people, in support of investment and development initiatives for the Rempang Eco City. The project aims to establish industrial, service, and tourism areas, with an investment target of up to 381 trillion rupiah (S$33.8 billion) by 2080.
Rempang Island is inhabited by around 16 indigenous communities, including the Orang Laut and Orang Darat, who have resided on the island since at least 1834. Residents and environmental activists criticized the project for disregarding the voices of indigenous peoples and called on President Joko Widodo to intervene and cancel the program.
The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the aftermath of the demonstration and work to address the concerns raised by the protesters.
Haruskah demo di BP Batam seanarkis ini?? Ckck pic.twitter.com/6UezZeO13O
— Warga Wakanda (@plusenamdua_) September 11, 2023
