Potential Environmental, Social, And Cultural Damage Due To Eco City Rempang Development

The Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahaladia, visited the Xinyi Group in Wuhu, China which intends to build a glass factory in Rempang Eco City, Batam. (Ministry of Investment)

JAKARTA The last week the situation on Pulau Rempang, Batam City, Riau Islands was heating up. This is due to clashes between security forces and the community on the island of Rempang. The riots occurred because the local community strongly refused to build the Rempang Eco City area.

Rempang Eco City is one of the projects registered in the 2023 National Strategic Program (PSN). The construction of Rempang Eco City is regulated in the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2023 which was only ratified on August 28.

The government has mandated this ambitious project to PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG), a subsidiary owned by a well-known entrepreneur, Tomy Winata. The 17 thousand hectare area on Pulau Rempang is planned to be transformed into an industrial, service and tourism area. The project is targeted to attract investment of around IDR 381 trillion by 2080, with a target of 30 thousand workers.

In addition to the relocation of residents of Pulau Rempang, Xinyi Group, a giant company from China, is also in the spotlight. The world's largest glass producer is the first company to invest in Rempang Eco City.

The Minister of Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia, has even left for China to ensure Xinyi Group's investment in Indonesia. The Xinyi Group will build downstream quartz sand in the Rempang area with an investment of IDR 175 trillion.

The company sells its products in around 140 countries and territories, including Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the United States are also the Xinyi Group market share.

However, the Rempang project is not Xinyi Group's first investment in Indonesia. Last year they had invested in the JIIPE Gresik Special Economic Zone, East Java. In addition, the Xinyi Group also plans to invest in Kariagau, Balikpapan, and East Kalimantan.

Although lucrative in terms of investment, the presence of the Xinyi Group on Pulau Rempang sparked concerns from many parties. Especially from environmental activists.

As is known, making glass requires quartz sand as the main raw material. Massive quartz sand mining is feared to damage the marine environment on Pulau Rempang.

This is then considered contrary to the concept of 'Eco City'. Even though Eco City or commonly known as Green City is a concept that offers a healthy, environmentally friendly, and sustainable city.

The Eco City concept was then questioned when there was a plan to build the world's second largest glass factory on Rempang Island. According to the Recognition Manager of the People's Governance Area at the National Executive of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (WALHI), Ferry Widodo, this glass factory construction project could threaten the environment in the Pulau Rempang area.

They said the reason for moving residents was because they were worried about emissions, meaning they admitted that the emissions produced by the glass factory were quite large. If you already know there is a huge potential for emissions, why is it still running? What is the advantage of Eco City? " said Ferry while talking to VOI.

Ferry further expressed concern about environmental improvement which will take a long time due to the potential for massive damage.

If development is forced, the affected will not only be humans, but also the environment due to emissions and reclamation. There the coral reefs are good, if there is massive environmental damage, coral reefs will take decades to grow well.

Not only ignoring the potential for environmental damage, this trillions project is also considered not to side with indigenous peoples on the island of Rempang. The Rempang Eco City program is also claimed not to pay attention to the values of the Malay history in the islands.

When people are forced to leave their ancestral lands, it will not only lose their socio-economic ties. But also the social bonds of fellow citizens and lands that have passed down from their ancestors," Ferry explained.

For this reason, he hopes that the government will first stop the eviction process on Pulau Rempang. Because according to him, if the eviction process continues, it has the potential to make the conflict more widespread.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Rempang Galang Indigenous Community (Keramat), Suardi, emphasized that the historical value of Malay must be maintained on land inherited from the ancestors.

"We considered that the program was carried out too much. It was very not in accordance with the existing constitution. The land we had more than 40-50 years ago seemed (to be considered) not there," said Suardi.

"It's not a matter of moving and price, we don't talk about it. Do we agree with their offer, our dignity is maintained and the village tree remains? It's impossible. We stay. We don't judge how much money. Our attitude will essentially maintain it at any time," he explained.