Mystery Of Agrarian Conflict On Rempang Island

Demonstrations took place on Rempang Island over plans to relocate residents. (Antara)

Rempang Island, which is located near Batam, is not only a charming natural destination, but has also been in the national spotlight recently due to the escalating agrarian conflict.

This conflict began with the government's plan to build Rempang Eco City, a large project that is expected to bring economic and infrastructure development, as well as prosperity for the residents of Rempang Island. Unfortunately, these promises have become a source of debate and doubt.

President Joko Widodo and the government promised to provide fair compensation to affected residents. However, the lack of communication with residents and traditional leaders on Rempang Island has clouded the concept of "fairness".

As a result, tensions grew into physical clashes involving Ustaz Abdul Somad, a religious figure who was accused of being involved in the conflict. This news was later proven to be a hoax, which further confused the public.

More complexly, this conflict includes overlapping land ownership issues between individual and customary rights. This creates increasingly heated uncertainty and threatens social and cultural harmony on Rempang Island.

Senator Fachrul Razi emphasized that repressive measures are not the right solution. On the contrary, poor communication has been the trigger for this conflict. Therefore, President Jokowi has assigned the Minister of Investment to hold a dialogue with residents, in the hope of easing tensions.

Rempang Island, with its attractive tourism potential, is now faced with unrest that threatens its stability. Even though the Governor of the Riau Islands is trying to provide security guarantees for tourists coming through Batam, the question is, do tourists dare to visit Rempang Island in the midst of this conflict?

The story of the conflict on Rempang Island reminds us of similar stories in the epic novel "Earth of Mankind" by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Even though the times and backgrounds are different, there are clear parallels between the story in the novel and the conflict on Rempang Island.

In "Human Earth," people struggle against social injustice and colonialism. Those living in agricultural areas fought to defend their land from unjust colonial policies. On Rempang Island, although the context is different, agrarian conflict creates similar social inequalities.

Like the characters in "Earth of Mankind" who fight against injustice and oppression, the residents of Rempang Island also fight to defend their rights to land and land. The uncertainty of overlapping land status and agrarian conflict create tensions that threaten social and cultural harmony, similar to the atmosphere in the novel.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novel also highlights the importance of communication in resolving conflicts. On Rempang Island, the lack of effective communication between the government and residents has become one of the triggers for conflict. Just like in the novel, where poor communication between the colonial side and the native people deepens the conflict.

The National Police Chief has promised to resolve the conflict on Rempang Island with wise tactics. The police have also named a number of suspects in connection with the riots on this island, and investigations have been carried out on members of the local DPRD regarding the status of land there.

In understanding the case of Rempang Island, we must realize that behind its stunning natural charm, there are the struggles of residents and the complexity of agrarian conflicts.

President Jokowi and the relevant governments, especially BP Batam, must listen to the aspirations of the people of Rempang Island, especially regarding relocation which is a source of tension. The government must prioritize dialogue as the main way to resolve this problem.

Apart from that, the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission must immediately carry out an independent investigation regarding the Rempang Island case. The Indonesian Ombudsman also needs to investigate allegations of maladministration in this case, especially in determining PSN, the process of relocating residents, and the role of BP Batam. The government must be present in the recovery of the victims and also in the situation that recently occurred. Ensure that all victims receive proper and effective recovery, both physically and psychologically.