Community Pushback Intensifies Against Rempang Eco City Project

TEMPO.CO, Batam - Miswadi, the head of the United Rempang-Galang Indigenous Community Alliance (AMAR-GB), voiced the latest rejection of residents towards the National Strategic Project (PSN) Rempang Eco City which took place last Monday, May 12, 2025.

Miswadi explained that the rejection symbolized that the presence of the PSN not only destroys the village on land, but also the sea which serves as the fishing grounds for Rempang fishermen. "Up to now, our collective action has been on land, now we are taking action at sea," said Wadi, who is also a native resident of Kampung Sembulang Hulu, Pulau Rempang, to Tempo, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Wadi stated that the number of attending residents exceeded a hundred. This protest was more crowded than before, as it not only affected the five villages, but the residents are becoming stronger with the support of other villages. "It was attended by hundreds of people because residents from Kampung Blongkeng, Sungai Raya, to Tiga Putri also joined in this action. We see the residents growing stronger," said Wadi.

Wadi further mentioned that apart from orations like this in the routine activities of the residents, those from beyond the five villages have started to participate in these struggle activities. "Now they are getting stronger, they are willing to attend every activity," he said.

Furthermore, a few days ago, in several other villages, they have also started to put up banners rejecting the PSN Rempang Eco City on the outer walls of their houses, with writings rejecting relocation or local transmigration. "In Sungai Raya, we saw residents already putting up banners on their houses, they wrote Sungai Raya Village, not a forest," he said.

Wadi continued to say that not only in orations like this during the residents' routine activities, those from beyond the five villages have started to participate in these struggle activities. "Now they are getting stronger, they are willing to attend every activity," he said.

Even though the sea demonstration was guarded by the police and several other authorities, the residents' aspirations were conveyed well. "Certainly, we emphasize this sea action, rejecting the PSN, local transmigration, and we also voiced in this oration regarding the silica sand mining that will threaten our sea," he said.

Previously, residents of Rempang who were threatened by the PSN Rempang Eco City went down to the coastal area of Kampung Sembulang, Pulau Rempang. They emphasized their rejection of the PSN Rempang Eco City, rejecting local transmigration, and rejecting silica sand mining.

Amidst the oration, various banners conveying aspirations were shown, ranging from 'reject PSN Rempang Eco City,' 'reject relocation and local transmigration,' 'Rempang Island is not empty land,' 'protect the fishing grounds of Rempang fishermen,' to 'reject silica sand mining, save the sea.'

The protest was busier than usual. The residents then boarded fishing boats, some of them standing at the pier of Sembulang Hulu port. This area is a priority for the development of the PSN Rempang Eco City.

In their oration, they emphasized their rejection of being evicted from their village. "We reject development that damages our sea and land, we reject all false solutions. Our village is a legacy for our grandchildren. Reject eviction, reject local transmigration, reject false solutions, long live women who fight," said Roziana, one of the residents, delivering her oration in front of others.

Whatever the Status of Rempang, Residents Will Not Stay Silent

Wadi also mentioned the recent polemic regarding the status of PSN in Rempang. Especially after politician Rieke Pitaloka stated that Rempang is no longer part of the PSN. However, after that statement, several officials such as the Head of the BP Batam Task Force Andre Rosiade and the Deputy Head of BP Batam Li Claudia Chandra denied it. According to Andre and Li, who are both members of the Gerindra party, Rempang is still part of the PSN.

Furthermore, Wadi recounted that in the villages of Pulau Rempang, the residents still prioritize the statement made by Rieke Pitaloka, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, during a working meeting that was directly attended by Rempang residents, affirming that Rempang is no longer part of the PSN. "Because in the RPJMN, there is indeed no PSN Rempang, there is only the development of the Rempang Eco City area, not the PSN," he said.

However, according to Wadi, it is clearly stated in the Presidential Regulation that Rempang is no longer included in the PSN. Whatever its status, according to him, the residents will not remain silent in anticipating changes in the government's stance.

Requesting Legal Recognition for the Old Villages of Pulau Rempang

Wadi stated that until now, although the local government has changed, the hope of the residents has not materialized, which is to request legal recognition for the old villages in Pulau Rempang. "Our hope is not grandiose, it is to request the recognition of Pulau Rempang as an old village; until now, that has not been recorded in the government," he said.

Moreover, Wadi mentioned that the residents visited the Batam Mayor's office a few days ago, but Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad's statement, according to Wadi, does not support the people. "At the very least, he (Amsakar) should make an effort to legalize the villages in Rempang, but this is not apparent."

Amidst the residents' rejection, BP Batam, through its written statement, conveyed the progress of residents who have moved to relocation houses in Tanjung Banun Village. At least in the press release on May 8, 2025, 87 families have accepted the relocation of the PSN Rempang Eco City. At least 900 families on Rempang Island have been affected by the PSN Rempang Eco City.

The Acting Head of the Public Relations, Promotion, and Protocol Bureau as well as Deputy for Public Services of BP Batam, Ariastuty Sirait, in the press release, expressed appreciation to the residents for the support given in realizing the sustainable development of the Rempang Eco City area.

This Deputy for Public Services of BP Batam also conveyed that the new residences in Tanjung Banun are a tangible form of the government's prioritization of the local communities' interests. "Thank you for the trust and support given by the people. Hopefully, this investment can be realized soon and can have an impact on the local and national economy," said Ariastuty.

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