Rempang

Rempang Island (Indonesian: pulau Rempang) is one of the Indonesian islands, located 2.5 km southeast of the neighbouring Batam Island, with the total land mass size of 165.83 km2.[1] Rempang Island belongs to the three-interconnected islands group of Riau Archipelago known as Barelang (an abbreviation of Batam-Rempang-Galang), and administratively part of the Riau Islands Province. The nearest urban city to Rempang Island is the Tanjung Pinang City, located on neighbouring Bintan Island.

Rempang
Geography
LocationSoutheast Asia
ArchipelagoRiau
Administration
ProvinceRiau Islands
CityBatam
DistrictGalang
Demographics
LanguagesIndonesian (official)
Ethnic groupsRempang Malays (native)

History

Rempang Island was originally uninhabited, and the situation remain the same until the end of 20th century to the early 21st century.[2] The Barelang Bridge was built by the Indonesian government from 1992 to 1998[3] as an effort to develop the economic and business sector on the island which was thought as the continuation of business line to connect Rempang to the neighbouring islands of Batam and Galang.

Although the island was initially uninhabited, there are claims made by the Malays (the ethnic group of neighbouring Sumatra Island) that Rempang was inhabited some times around the 15th century, which functioned in that era as one of the vassal military bases of the Sumatran monarch of Melayu. However, it is highly disputed by most scholars since there is no clear evidences to support the idea and claim. Another claim was circulated by the same protesters group that there are pre-existing settlements of at least 16 villages on Rempang since 1834, but the authority failed to legally confirmed their claims since there are no actual proven documents of it.[4]

2001–present: Economic development plan and relocation issues

Around 2001 to 2002,[2] the government of Indonesia designed a plan to develop the Rempang Island way more further by proposing to built the eco-based tourism site and several industrial firms, it was later officially legalized under the Batam Regional People's Representative Council decree dated 17 May 2004,[5] the plan caught the attention of international investors and the agreement was set and approved but the progress of the development was slow.[5][4] As the continuation of Memorandum of Understanding that was approved since 2004 under the Batam Regional People's Representative Council decree dated 17 May 2004, the XinYi Group based in China stated on 18 August 2023 that they intend to rebuild their 'delayed' business of glass production industrial site on the island.[6] The industrial site is planned to be constructed in May 2024.[7]

The development of the glass production industry and the tourist site requires the relocation of all the island's 7,500 inhabitants.[8] The Indonesian government planned to reimburse the affected inhabitants by providing the relocated inhabitants with a new house located on a 500 sqm land. The house is promised to be ready in 6 to 7 months, and the affected inhabitants will receive IDR 1.2 million monthly as the new houses are being constructed.[9]

On 21 August 2023, some locals began to blockade the Barelang Bridge connecting Rempang and Batam.[10][11] A protest on 12 September 2023 involving 1,000 participants turned into a riot,[12] as they refused to be relocated to another housing area that are being prepared for them, and claimed have lived on the island for years.[4] President Joko Widodo stated that the conflict was triggered by a lack of communication, and directed Bahlil Lahadalia, the Indonesian Minister of Investment to have direct communications with affected residents on the compensation plan.[13][14]

According to the Indonesian police, about 43 protesters were arrested for injuring police officers and causing damage, with 5 of them tested positive for consuming illegal drugs or narcotics.[15] 22 police officers were injured during the riot.[15] [16]20 of the locals are injured, and the National Commission on Human Rights claimed that the police have used excessive force.[17] Indonesian human rights activists also claimed that the police targeted used tear gas haphazardly.[18][19]

Tensions have been attributed to a generally unfavorable attitude toward Chinese investments in Indonesia, and more locally, the continued police effort seeking those involved in the disturbance.[20]

On 20 September 2023, Bahlil claimed that the locals have consented to the relocation as long as they are not relocated outside the island.[21] On the next day, some of the locals rejected the statement of Bahlil as many of them still haven't consented to their relocation.[22]

On 21 September 2023, certain island residents chose not to engage in fishing activities due to concerns that the government might attempt relocation while they were away at sea.[23]

Demographics

The Rempang Malays are the native inhabitants of Rempang Island have the same culture as the Malays in Riau and the Riau Islands in general as well as the Malays on the Malay Peninsula, more precisely Johor.[24] In 2023, Rempang Malays population will number around 5,000 which consists of 3 sub-groups, namely Galang Malays (Malay descendants from Galang Island), Orang Darat (native inhabitants of Rempang Island who live nomadic lives in the forest), and Orang Laut (nomadic fishermen or some who live permanently; inhabit the coast).[25][26] All of them adhere to Sunni Islam which has its roots since the era of Riau-Lingga Sultanate.[27]

References
  1. Bida Website Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "43 Orang Ditangkap dalam Demo Tolak Relokasi Rempang di BP Batam, 5 Positif Narkoba" [43 People Arrested in Demonstration Against Rempang Relocation at BP Batam, 5 Tested Positive for Drugs] (in Indonesian). Celah Sumbar. 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-15. banyak orang yang tidak tahu, tanah itu, (Pulau) Rempang itu sudah diberikan haknya oleh negara kepada sebuah perusahaan, entitas perusahaan untuk digunakan dalam hak guna usaha. Itu Pulau Rempang. Itu Tahun 2001, 2002 [not a lot of people understand or aware, that the land, the Rempang Island, had legal base to be managed by the government to built company entities, and they has rights over it, (the agreement or MoU) was agreed upon since (around) 2001 or 2002]
  3. Wibowo, Akut (August 23, 2017). "What You Should Know about Barelang Bridges Batam". Enjoy Batam. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  4. "Duduk Perkara Konflik Pulau Rempang" [The Conflict Case of Rempang Island] (in Indonesian). CNN Indonesia. 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  5. "Duduk Perkara PSN Pulau Rempang yang Picu Bentrok Aparat dan Warga" [The Rempang Island PSN Case which Triggered Clashes between Authorities and Residents] (in Indonesian). NU Online. 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  6. "Batam's emergence as Indonesia's newest eco-city". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  7. Indraini, Anisa. "Pabrik Kaca di Rempang Batam Mulai Dibangun Mei atau Juni 2024". detikfinance (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  8. SASTRA, YOLA (2023-09-19). "Warga Kukuh Menolak Direlokasi dari Pulau Rempang". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  9. Jefriando, Maikel. "Tok! Ganti Rugi Buat Warga Rempang Ditambah, Ini Rinciannya". CNBC Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  10. WIYOGA, PANDU (2023-08-22). "Rawan Sisihkan Kehidupan Warga Pesisir, Warga Rempang Tolak Penggusuran di Rempang Eco City". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  11. WIYOGA, PANDU (2023-08-22). "Prone to Set aside the Lives of Coastal Residents, Rempang Residents Refuse Evictions in Rempang Eco City". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  12. "Indonesia police arrest 43 after riot in Batam over industrial park". CNA. Archived from the original on 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  13. "Conflict in Rempang Island arose due to poor communication: Jokowi". Antara News. September 12, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  14. Jawad, Muhammad (September 14, 2023). "Indonesian President Urges Swift Resolution to Rempang Island Unrest". BNN Network. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  15. "43 Orang Ditangkap dalam Demo Tolak Relokasi Rempang di BP Batam, 5 Positif Narkoba" [43 People Arrested in Demonstration Against Rempang Relocation at BP Batam, 5 Tested Positive for Drugs] (in Indonesian). Celah Sumbar. 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  16. Daily, The ASEAN (2023-09-12). "Mass Demonstration In Batam Leads To Dozens Of Arrests And Injuries". THE ASEAN DAILY. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  17. "Rempang: 'Dugaan pelanggaran HAM' di Pulau Rempang: 20 orang terluka, aparat gunakan 'kekuatan berlebih' dan 'serampangan' tembakkan gas air mata". BBC News Indonesia (in Indonesian). 2023-09-17. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  18. Media, Kompas Cyber (2023-09-17). "Investigasi KontraS dkk: Polisi Serampangan Tembak Gas Air Mata di Rempang, Ada Proyektil di Dekat Pintu Sekolah". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  19. Indonesia, C. N. N. "KontraS: Polisi Tembak Gas Air Mata ke Jalan dan Sekolah di Rempang". nasional (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  20. Ewe, Koh (September 13, 2023). "As Indonesia Courts Chinese Infrastructure Investments, Locals Are Pushing Back". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023. Meanwhile, the recent arrests have sent fresh fears rippling through the local community, as police continue to hunt down suspects in the Rempang riots.
  21. Pradana, Raden Jihad Akbar, Zendy (2023-09-20). "Bahlil Ungkap Kabar Terbaru soal Investasi Pulau Rempang, Masyarakat Sudah Setuju Ada Tapinya". www.viva.co.id (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. "Rempang: 'Kami kompak tidak mau direlokasi' – Warga Pulau Rempang menolak klaim Menteri Bahlil bahwa mereka 'setuju untuk digeser'". BBC News Indonesia (in Indonesian). 2023-09-21. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  23. Indonesia, C. N. N. "Warga Kampung Tua Siaga Jelang Pengosongan Pulau Rempang". nasional (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  24. "Muslihat Menaklukkan Timor". www.kompas.id (in Indonesian). Kompas. 17 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  25. "Konflik Pulau Rempang Oleh Hj. AZLAINI AGUS, Tokoh Masyarakat Riau". www.walhiriau.or.id (in Indonesian). The Indonesian Forum for Environment. 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  26. "Sejarah Pulau Rempang Diungkap Peneliti BRIN: Melayu Galang, Orang Darat dan Orang Laut adalah Suku Asli Pulau Rempang". www.tvonenews.com (in Indonesian). TvOne. 17 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  27. "Lembaga Adat Melayu Kepri Minta Semua Pihak Tahan Diri Soal Rempang". news.republika.co.id (in Indonesian). Republika. 14 September 2023. Archived from the original on 16 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

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