Dozens of Residents Protest Rempang Eco City Project at Riau Islands Police Headquarters

4 hours ago 8

February 27, 2025 | 05:19 pm

TEMPO.CO, JakartaDozens of Rempang residents protested the Rempang Eco City national strategic project in front of the Riau Islands police headquarters in Batam on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The residents demanded justice from the new police chief, Police Inspector General Asep Safrudin.

The residents—the majority of them women—were arriving on two buses. They came from five villages affected by the first phase of the state project. Upon their arrival at the police headquarters, the residents unfurled a banner with the words "Reject Relocation of Rempang Eco City PSN." They also delivered speeches.

"So, we hope that the new Chief of Police in Riau Islands will pay attention to us oppressed residents,” said one of the residents giving a speech.

After the speeches, one of the residents from Sembulang Hulu, Aris, stated that the purpose of the demonstration in front of the Riau Islands Police Headquarters was to demand justice for the Rempang community who have been defending their indigenous land.

Aris said legal efforts have remained stagnant thus far. Aris gave an example of the conflict between project developer PT MEG with local residents. “If the city police cannot handle the case, the regional police chief must take over,” Aris told the media after the protest.

Another incident with PT MEG occurred on December 18 last year, but the residents were blamed for it. "Where there's smoke, there's fire. The incident started with PT MEG's people, which angered the people, but we were blamed instead. So, we demand justice," said Aris.

Hopefully, Aris said, through this protest, the new Chief of Police in Riau Islands, can take over the cases that harmed the Rempang community. Aris sees that justice today is merely stagnant and not taken seriously. Hopefully, with this protest, the Chief of Police can thoughtfully handle the cases and resolve them.

"Residents of Rempang are also accused of robbing the freedom of PT MEG’s people. But we can see that it’s our freedom that has been robbed for almost two years with no justice served. So, please, don’t twist the facts,” Aris added.

“We have high hopes for the new police chief. Uphold the justice for us, the people of Rempang,” said another protester, Roziana, a woman from Kampung Pasir Merah, who was also the first to be affected by the Rempang Eco City development

After delivering the speeches, the residents then continued the protest in front of the Mayor of Batam's Office. In line with their demands to the new Chief of Police in Riau Islands, the residents also demanded the new Mayor of Batam, Amsakar Achmad, to pay attention to the residents of Rempang.

Editor’s Choice: Rempang Residents Urge Prabowo to Cancel Eco City Project

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News



Diaspora in Berlin Preparing to Hold 'Dark Indonesia' Protest

6 jam lalu

Diaspora in Berlin Preparing to Hold 'Dark Indonesia' Protest

ndonesians living in Berlin, Germany, are set to stage a protest at Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with the 'Dark Indonesia' (Indonesia Gelap) protest


School Foundation Cites Code of Ethics Violation Behind Sukatani Vocalist's Dismissal

22 jam lalu

School Foundation Cites Code of Ethics Violation Behind Sukatani Vocalist's Dismissal

Chairof Al Madani Foundation Khaerul Mudakir clarified the Sukatani member's dismissal as a teacher at Mutiara Hati Islamic Elementary School.


Anthony Fantano Speaks Out on Sukatani Song Censorship; Here's His Profile

1 hari lalu

Anthony Fantano Speaks Out on Sukatani Song Censorship; Here's His Profile

Who is Anthony Fantano, the man who recently criticized censorship of Indonesian punk band Sukatani's viral song "Bayar, Bayar, Bayar"?


TNI Probes Soldiers Involved in Tarakan Police Headquarters Attack

1 hari lalu

TNI Probes Soldiers Involved in Tarakan Police Headquarters Attack

Commander of the VI/Mulawarman Military Command, Major General Rudy Rachmat Nugraha, responds to the alleged attack on the Tarakan Regional Police headquarters by TNI troops.


Komnas HAM to Request Police Statement on Sukatani Song Censorship

2 hari lalu

Komnas HAM to Request Police Statement on Sukatani Song Censorship

Komnas HAM will take several steps in response to allegations of intimidation against the punk band from Purbalingga, Sukatani.


North Sumatra Police Seize 97 Kg of Meth and 2K Ecstasy Pills in 25 Drug Busts

2 hari lalu

North Sumatra Police Seize 97 Kg of Meth and 2K Ecstasy Pills in 25 Drug Busts

Authorities arrested 37 suspects of drug trafficking, seizing 97.08 kilograms of methamphetamine, 38 grams of marijuana, and 2,180 ecstasy pills.


SUKATANI Music Censorship, DKJ: Stop Restricting Artistic Works

2 hari lalu

SUKATANI Music Censorship, DKJ: Stop Restricting Artistic Works

The police are urged to stop restricting artistic works. The Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) responds to the ban of the music band SUKATANI.


Sukatani Returns to the Stage Without 'Pay the Police' Song, LBH Semarang: They're Still Recovering

2 hari lalu

Sukatani Returns to the Stage Without 'Pay the Police' Song, LBH Semarang: They're Still Recovering

The band Sukatani finally performed on stage after apologizing for their 'pay the police' song. They are still in a recovery period, says LBH Semarang


Police Probe 6 Central Java Officers on Alleged Intimidation Against Punk Band Sukatani

2 hari lalu

Police Probe 6 Central Java Officers on Alleged Intimidation Against Punk Band Sukatani

The Indonesian National Police's Professionalism and Security Division (Propam Polri) is still investigating 6 police personnel from the Central Java Regional Police over allegations of intimidation against the Sukatani band.


Police Still Assessing 46 Indonesian Victims of Human Trafficking Who Returned from Myanmar

3 hari lalu

Police Still Assessing 46 Indonesian Victims of Human Trafficking Who Returned from Myanmar

The National Police are still assessing 46 Indonesian citizens who were repatriated to Indonesia from Myanmar, victims of human trafficking.


Read Entire Article
Pemilu | Tempo | |