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Govt promises to compensate Rempang locals for eviction
The government promised to compensate residents of Rempang Island, Riau Islands, to leave their lands, as Jakarta insists on paving the way for a China-backed megaproject in the area.
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Demonstrators clash with security officials while protesting against a plan to move all residents of Rempang island to make way for an economic hub, in Batam, Riau Islands, on Sept. 7, 2023. (BP Batam via BenarNews/-)
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he government has promised to compensate residents of Rempang Island, Riau Islands, for leaving their lands, as Jakarta insists on paving the way for a China-backed megaproject in the area following resistance from locals to the project.
Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Sunday that the compensation would be adjusted to the assets previously owned by locals in the area.
The government is formulating alternatives that may provide each family with up to 500 square meters of land along with Rp 120 million (US$7,808) funds equivalent to build a 45-sq m house.
“We will give [compensation] to the people that have been here for generations. And we have to communicate well as we’re supposed to,” Bahlil said, as quoted from Antara.
On top of that, Bahlil said the government would give Rp 1.2 million per person intended to compensate for the waiting time as their new houses are built and another amount to help them pay for temporary rent.
Should anyone own a property with a value exceeding the amount, public assessors will come to evaluate the price, Bahlil said. The Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) will fill in the gap between the assessed price and the compensation provided by the central government.
“That includes cages, plants and canoes, everything will be valued proportionally in accordance with the existing mechanism and calculation,” said Bahlil.
