PP Muhammadiyah Asks For Chaos On The Island Of Rempang Batam To Be Resolved With Calm Thoughts

Protesters threw stones at police officers during a demonstration by residents of Pulau Rempang at the BP Batam Office, Batam, Riau Islands, Monday (11/9/2023). (ANTARA PHOTO/Teguh Prihatta/Spt)

General Secretariat of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board (PP) Abdul Mu'ti said the problems on Pulau Rempang should be resolved with a calm mind and a spacious heart. "The problem should be resolved by deliberation, looking for the middle way that is the most beneficial, not (the problem) winning or losing," said Abdul Mu'ti in a statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, September 14. He also asked all parties to calm down so that the problem would not get wild and out of control. Abdul Mu'ti said there needs to be clarity in this matter, especially ahead of the 2024 General Election and the political year that determines the nation's future. He also urged politicians and people's representatives not to remain silent over the situation on the island of Rempang. "Politicians, people's representatives, should not be silent a thousand languages. According to their authority, the DPR can summon the police chief and the relevant ministers to provide clarification. Don't let the people continue to be pitted against the authorities," he added. Abdul Mu'ti wants the development of the National Strategic Project (PSN) to be oriented towards the welfare of all people. Quoted from the BP Batam page, Rempang Eco City is one of the projects registered in PSN 2023 whose construction is regulated in the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2023 which was signed on August 28, 2023. The Rempang Eco City project is an integrated industrial, trade, and tourism area aimed at encouraging competitiveness with neighboring countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia. The project is planned to be worked on by PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG), with an investment target of IDR 381 trillion by 2080. PT MEG is a colleague of BP Batam and the Batam City Government. Later, the company will help the Government attract foreign and local investors in economic development on the island of Rempang. In order to work on Rempang Eco City, PT MEG was given an area of around 17,000 hectares which covers the entire island of Rempang and Subang Mas Island. The government is also targeting the development of Rempang Eco City to absorb around 306,000 workers by 2080. However, the construction of the project was protested by residents of Pulau Rempang by blocking the joint apparatus which will set and measure land on Thursday (7/9). The violent conflict resulted in injuries and even trauma to local children being triggered by residents' rejection of the project which required around 7,500 local residents to be relocated.

In addition, the project also threatens the existence of 16 traditional Malay villages on Pulau Rempang since 1834.