Jokowi Must Intervene In Overcoming The Conflict On The Island Of Rempang

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) (Doc: State Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Chairman of Indonesia Police Watch, Sugeng Teguh Santoso, believes that the conflict that occurred on Pulau Rempang, Batam City, Riau Islands, was a state failure in carrying out the mandate of Article 18 B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, which regulates that the state recognizes and respects the existence of indigenous peoples and should be manifested in a law.

However, said Sugeng, the Draft Law on Indigenous Peoples which has been included in the National Legislation Program (Proglegnas) several times since 2004 until now, has not been ratified.

"Looking at its history, the people of Rempang have lived in the area since 1834, long before Indonesia proclaimed itself as an independent country, therefore the recognition and respect of the people of Rempang as citizens is a necessity," said Sugeng when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday, September 19.

For this reason, IPW urges President Joko Widodo to review the Rempang Eco-City area, Batam City, Riau Islands as a National Strategic Project.

"Departed directly to hear the complaints of the people of Rempang Galang, instead of ordering the head of BKPM/investment minister Bahlil Lahadalia to make accusations against other countries over the conflict in Rempang Galang because of the repression of the security forces," he said.

IPW also asked the National Police not to intimidate and repressive actions to the community. On the other hand, the National Police must be humane, protect the people of Rempang-Galang so that they can express their free attitude, equivalent in maintaining their rights even when they have to negotiate in compensation and relocation.

"The National Police must stop alleged criminalization efforts against residents of Rempang-Galang who have worked on land claimed by the Batam BP authority. This indication can be seen by the summons for information to the public by the Riau Islands Police," he said.

In addition, IPW also requested that the KPK, Polri and the Attorney General's Office as law enforcers could investigate allegations of corruption cases in the development of the Rempang Eco-City area, Batam City, Riau Islands if there was sufficient evidence.

"Komnas HAM must form an independent fact-finding team tasked with finding the root of the conflict between the people of Rempang Galang and the government regarding the Rempang eco city project that was processed at PT MEG by involving community organizations and announcing the results of its investigations to the public," he said.

Furthermore, IPW asked the DPR to work to defend the people by forming a Special Committee for Rempang-Galang as an accountability for the high-ranking state institution to the public whose cases have become national.

Previously, the clash was triggered by the rejection of the indigenous peoples of Pulau Rempang on the development of industrial estates on island areas covering an area of 17 thousand hectares. The project, which was labeled with a national strategic project to build industrial, trade and tourism areas, is a National Strategic Project (PSN) in 2023 as Rempang Eco City.

Clashes occurred when a joint team tried to break through the community guarding the IV Barelang Bridge on Rempang Island because they refused to carry out measurements and install batok in the area.

The blocking was carried out by residents by burning a number of tires and tearing down trees on the access road to the Rempang area. Even so, officers still forced their way in to install stakes, and fired tear gas and water cannon to break up the riots.

As a result of gunfire from tear gas, elementary school students on Pulau Rempang shouted hysterically scared. Not only that, a number of SMPN 22 students who were 100 meters from the Trans Barelang Road section were also victims of the clashes.

The tear gas swab that was fired into the air by the authorities was carried to the school complex and made students and teachers almost faint, and some even fled to forest areas to avoid stuffy air due to tear gas.