Indonesia: Rempang residents oppose security post construction; activists urge govt. to halt Eco-City project & withdraw forces
"Stop Security Approach and Rempang Eco City Project on Rempang Island, Batam City" 1 September 2024
Based on information obtained by the National Solidarity for Rempang, on Saturday, August 31, 2024, the Integrated Team consisting of the Indonesian National Army (TNI)... the Indonesian National Police, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Security Directorate (Ditpam) of the Batam Business Agency (BP)... planned to build an Integrated Post in Sei Buluh, Sembulang Village, Galang District.
The plan was rejected by residents from several villages. Because the planned location for the construction of the Integrated Post is a Kamling Post built by residents...as a place for children or students to wait for school transportation.
In this situation, we consider that the security approach on Rempang Island, Batam must be stopped immediately... This approach causes fear among the residents of Rempang Island, considering that the community is still experiencing the trauma of the humanitarian tragedy that occurred on Rempang Island on September 7, 2023, which resulted in many physical injuries and arbitrary arrests.
...we urge President Joko Widodo to: Order the TNI Commander and the Chief of Police to withdraw their members from Rempang Island...Order the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to remove the Rempang Eco City project from the List of National Strategic Projects and stop all activities related to the project on Rempang Island because it has been proven to cause the greatest losses for the residents of Rempang Island...