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December 23, 2024 | 08:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of college students held a rally to defend Rempang residents in front of the Batam Authority (BP Batam) office on Monday, December 23, 2024. The protest was held following an attack by PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG) workers against Rempang residents, which injured eight people.
Students donning their university jackets also distributed leaflets entitled “Save Rempang," displaying pictures of Remapng residents who were injured during the attack.
“We demand justice. Has police taken action against the perpetrators in the attack a few days ago?” said Riska, one of the students giving a speech during the protest.
Riska also emphasized that the people of Rempang did not wish to be evicted. The residents, Riska said, are okay with the constructions in Rempang, barring any damages caused by the investments to the land and sea.
“How much did you gain from the investors that you carelessly let the residents go through this?” the protester, who was also a Rempang resident, said. The students also displayed posters rejecting the national strategic project (PSN).
BP Batam’s director of the One-Stop Integrated Services, Harlas Buana, met the protesters. One of the students interrupted his speech about the compensation supposedly received by the residents, stating, “we’re not asking for numbers, and we don’t want your explanation, we just want to know how BP Batam will be held accountable for the injured residents.”
Nearing Monday noon, the students read and submit their demands to BP Batam. These demands include: first, asking BP Batam to be present for the Rempang community.
Second, asking BP Batam and the Governor of the Riau Islands to directly inspect the impact and social problems that occur on Rempang Island and write to the relevant ministries to discuss the licensing of PT MEG, which committed human rights violations and violence against communities affected by the Rempang Eco City PSN.
Third, BP Batam and the Governor of the Riau Islands are responsible for ensuring orderly agrarian administration by PT MEG, and the last demand is demanding transparency from the government about which areas are restricted for PT MEG.
Despite these demands, none of the present BP Batam representatives agreed to ink the petition until midday. “We will study the demands, since [the project] involves not only BP Batam,” he said, but otherwise staying silent when asked about the whereabouts of BP Batam head Muhammad Rudi.
The agrarian conflict in Rempang heated up again on Wednesday, December 18, when over 30 workers of PT MEG attacked three posts of residents who rejected the Rempang Eco City PSN.
At least 8 residents were injured, and dozens of vehicles were damaged. PT MEG Security Officer, Angga, confirmed that he brought over 30 officers to pick up their colleague who was detained by the residents. The officer was reportedly caught red-handed destroying a banner rejecting the project.
However, Angga denied arming their officers with sharp weapons and arrows that injured the Rempang residents. When asked why he had to attack the residents, Angga rushed to leave the interview room, located at PT MEG’s office on Galang Island.
Editor’s Choice: Rempang Residents Claim Attack by PT MEG Officers; 9 Injured
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