Jokowi Asks For Completion Of Rempang To Prioritize Community Rights

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia after attending a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday (25/9/2023). ANTARA/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga

JOKOWI - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked for the resolution of problems on the island of Rempang, Riau Islands (Kepri), to be carried out by prioritizing the rights and interests of the community.

This was conveyed by the President in a limited meeting with a number of related ministers at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday, September 25.

"Earlier, the President under the direction of the first meeting was that the resolution of the Rempang problem must be carried out properly, in a real family manner, and still prioritize the rights and interests of the surrounding community where the location was held," said Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

Bahlil admitted that he was given a special task by the President to resolve the problem in Rempang well and involve other ministries.

He reported to the Head of State that of the 17,000 hectares of the island of Rempang, only 7,000-8,000 hectares can be managed, while the rest are protected forests.

"And we focus on the initial 2,300 hectares for industrial development, which we have planned to build a glass factory ecosystem and solar panels," said Bahlil.

He revealed that in a meeting with community leaders in Rempang a few days ago, he had said that what happened in Rempang was not eviction or relocation, but displacement.

"Not eviction, once again. Second, not also relocation, but is a shift. If it is relocated, from island A to island B. At first we wanted to move the relocation from Rempang to Galang. But now only from Rempang to the village is still in Rempang," he said.

In addition, according to Bahlil, the community was also given an award for land status. According to Bahlil, some people in Rempang have not had proper documents for generations.

"And with this shift, we give a basis for the right of 500 square meters with a certificate of property rights. Then we give the house with type 45. If there is a house that is more than 45 type, at a price of 120 million if there is more, it will be judged by KJPP how much value, that will be given," he said.

In addition, he said, during the waiting period of the house, the community will also be given a waiting fee of Rp. 1,200,000 per person and a house contract of Rp. 1,200,000 per head of the family.

"Then in the shift process there is a plant, there is an increase, it will also be calculated and will be replaced based on the rules applicable by BP Batam," he said.

He further said that there were five villages in Rempang that experienced shifts, namely in Blongkeng, Pasir Panjang, Simpulan Tanjung, Pasir Merah and Simpulan Hulu.

The government will shift the community to a location in Tanjung Banun which is no more than 3 kilometers from the initial location and will become a pilot village.

"We will properly arrange it both in terms of road infrastructure, as well as in terms of health centers. Then clean water, then schools, we will make it so well, including fishing ports," he said.

According to Bahlil, so far there are 900 registered heads of families, and nearly 300 of them have registered voluntarily to be shifted.