Forced Evictions on Rempang Island: 600 Officers Displace Residents for Eco City Project

TEMPO.CO, Batam - An integrated team from BP Batam forcibly evicted homes and gardens belonging to residents who remained in the relocation housing area in Kampung Tanjung Banon, Sembulang Village on Rempang Island, Batam City, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

The eviction began around 8:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Videos circulating show hundreds of officers arriving at Rosmawati's house, removing her belongings, and then leveling the structure with heavy equipment.

Siti Hawa and other Rempang residents were present at the eviction site. "The mafia is really tough," she said as officers moved her away from Rosmawati's house during the demolition.

Rosmawati said that she was helpless when the officers arrived. She was directed into a car and taken to a temporary rental house in the Batu Aji area, while her belongings were immediately removed. "This is the last point of my fight," she lamented.

She expressed uncertainty about her future, as there was no detailed information regarding support for her and her family following the eviction. She was only informed that a temporary house would be provided for one month.

Coconut Plantation Destroyed Despite Protests

Airlangga Sinaga, a resident whose coconut plantation was evicted, recounted approaching the joint officers to stop the operation, but his efforts were ignored. Officers continued to destroy the plants on his property.

The day before, Sinaga said he was visited by two officers from the BP Batam Security Directorate (Ditpam) who verbally informed him that they would be operating on his plantation. "When I asked if there was a warrant, there was none. Only verbal notification," he stated.

Previously, coconut trees in Sinaga's 8,737 square meter plantation were torn down by officers on May 2, 2025. Sinaga, who was working at sea at the time, learned about it from other residents after returning home. Sinaga has since lodged a protest with BP Batam regarding the action.

BP Batam's Justification and Actions

In a previous official written statement, BP Batam explained that the two residents' properties were located within BP Batam's Land Management Rights (HPL), designated for the construction of housing for residents affected by the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project (PSN).

These two locations are currently undergoing development and clearance by the Ministry of Public Works (PU). BP Batam had offered compensation in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 78 of 2023 to the two residents who refused to leave. However, both residents rejected the compensation offered.

Taofan, Head of the General Bureau of BP Batam, confirmed the cleanup, stating that at least 600 personnel from the TNI (Indonesian Military), Polri (Indonesian National Police), Ditpam, Satpol PP (Public Order Agency), and Kejari Batam (Batam Public Prosecutor's Office) were involved.

Taofan asserted that the cleanup was carried out in accordance with applicable provisions, starting with the issuance of Warning Letters 1, 2, and 3, followed by a demolition order to Rosmawati and Sinaga. He detailed that the warning letters had been issued since February 2024, with the demolition order given on March 17, 2025.

"The team had also carried out persuasive and humanist approaches to the residents concerned, but because the residents concerned continued to refuse, an eviction was carried out," he said.

He expressed hope that the eviction would accelerate the development of the Tanjung Banon area and facilitate the realization of the Rempang Eco City investment. The location is currently undergoing land preparation and basic infrastructure development by the Ministry of Public Works, with house construction by the Ministry of Transmigration planned to begin in early August 2025.

Solidarity Team Delivers Letter of Objection

In a previously received statement, the National Solidarity Advocacy Team for Rempang conveyed two demands to the BP Batam regarding the ongoing eviction activities.

Their two demands are to urge BP Batam to cease all evictions due to their "a quo" (under legal process) status, and to halt all forms of intimidation against residents who refuse relocation.

The alleged action by BP Batam to level Airlangga Sinaga's plantation land, according to the team, demonstrates a disregard for the administrative objections Erlangga had previously submitted on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Sinaga submitted this letter of objection to BP Batam, accompanied by other Rempang residents.

Editor's Choice: Community Pushback Intensifies Against Rempang Eco City Project

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