Amid the hustle and bustle of the 2024 general elections, the Indonesian government renews its commitment to fulfil the rights of residents affected by the Rempang Eco-City development project, following a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of new houses for the affected residents at the Batam Authority (BP Batam) on January 10, 2024.
Deputy for Investment Implementation Management at the Ministry of Investment/ Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Yuliot, said acceleration for the realization of the Rempang Eco-City development project was ensured by prioritizing the fulfilment of the rights of the affected Rempang Island residents. In addition to regular coordination with the Batam Authority, the Ministry of Investment/BKPM also cooperates with relevant ministries/institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency to resolve matters related to land procurement and licensing. Meanwhile, the arrangement and provision of housing infrastructure is coordinated with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
“After the issuance of Presidential Regulation No.78/2023 as an amendment to Presidential Regulation No. 68/2018 concerning the management of Social Community Impacts in the Context of Providing Land for National Development, the Ministry of Investment together with the Batam Authority has followed up on various obstacles related to the fulfilment of the rights of affected Rempang residents, especially related to their relocation and the amount of compensation,” Yuliot said.
“Based on the Ministry of Investment’s data, there were 334 families who had been relocated to temporary housing as of the end of December 2023. We also ensure that intensive approaches are made in the best possible way to residents who may still be resistant to the development of the Rempang Eco-City project,” said Yuliot.
One of the affected Rempang residents, Dedi Yunhar, expressed his confidence on this project launched by the government. According to him, this project will help open up extensive employment opportunities for Rempang residents.
“We are willing to move to the temporary housing of our own accord without any coercion from any parties. The Rempang Eco-City development program will clearly provide new jobs for our children in the future. We have also received the facilities as promised. We hope that this project will run smoothly and the results will benefit the people of Rempang, especially those of us who are affected,” Dedi, who works as a farm laborer, said.
Data from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM as of December 2023, reveals that 551 families have been informed about the program as of December 2023. It was recorded that 382 families have visited the government posts that had been provided, namely the Subdistrict Military Command post/ the health post, the Galang Sub-District Office post, the Rempang Cate Village Head Office post, and the BP Batam One-Stop Integrated Service Office (PTSP) or MPP Batam Center post. In addition, the Investment Acceleration Task Force Team of the Ministry of Investment/BKPM also routinely conducts direct reviews on the temporary shelter location and the development site of the Rempang Eco-City project.
