"Indonesian indigenous islanders are rallying against plans to build a Chinese funded factory on their homes" September 19, 2023

A plan to build a multi-billion dollar Chinese glass factory in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Archipelago has sparked fierce protests from indigenous islanders who are opposed to their villages being torn down...

On September 11, indigenous groups faced off with riot police outside government compounds in the city of Batam...Riot police were deployed to the scene and fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia reported. Dozens were arrested soon after.

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In a bid to soothe tensions, Indonesian government officials have promised improved relocation packages for residents on Rempang.

“We must employ a soft and civilized approach to resolve this issue while respecting the islanders who have lived there for generations,” Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia said in a statement issued on Monday.

“We will seek the best solution for local residents… (but) if we let the project slip, potential revenue for local governments and the creation of jobs will be lost.”

Families affected by the construction will receive 500 square meters (5,381 square feet) of land or houses elsewhere and compensation packages of $78 (1.2 million Indonesian Rupiah), according to authorities.

But critics have argued that it isn’t enough.

“Communities are being threatened with losing their homes, culture as well as livelihood. Relocation and compensation only have economic value and cannot replace the villagers’ collective memory and identity as local indigenous people,” said Arifin Jaynal Ylbhi, spokesperson for the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI)...“At least 52 residents have been arrested and criminalized. We have deployed several lawyers since to provide legal assistance,” he added.

CNN reached out to the Chinese company Xinyi Glass which Indonesia’s government says plans to invest $11.5 billion to build the factory. Representatives did not respond to requests for comment and calls to their headquarters in Hong Kong went unanswered.

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Greenpeace Indonesia slammed the project as well as what it said was “excessive force” being used on indigenous protesters.“Our position is with the people of Rempang who have lived on the island for hundreds of years,” campaigner Didit Wicaksono told CNN...

Economist Achmad Nur Hidayat, a public policy expert from the Veteran National Development University of Jakarta, said the situation in Rempang was an “unfortunate reflection” of similar cases playing out across Indonesia. Indigenous tribes have “become victims of business and political interests,” he said. “I understand the importance of investment and development for economic growth but without paying attention to human rights, the growth achieved is flawed.”...

Survival International, a global non governmental organization that campaigns for indigenous rights, told CNN that the people of Rempang island had “rights under international law to their lands” and “should not be expected to sacrifice their homes and way of life for the economic benefit of others.”