Semarang-Demak Toll Road provided an assessment of the price of land affected by toll
road construction without going through deliberation and socialization procedures. The
determination of compensation is carried out unilaterally by the Government without
providing room for negotiation among the residents and the Government. The appointed
appraisal party giving an appraisal price for the affected land belonging to the
Complainant far below the market price. The complainant assessed that there was
insufficient deliberation process. As a result, the residents suffer losses due to low
compensation rates and the forgone of their sources of life.
16. The communities in Rempang Island - Riau Island faced possible eviction by the Batam
City Government through Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam) regarding land
requirement of a PSN project - the Rempang Eco City. This land conflict issue began
with the signing of the MoU between BP Batam and PT Makmur Elok Graha (PT. MEG)
on August 26 2004 regarding the development of PSN Rempang Eco City which includes
the tourism, fisheries, livestock, housing and so on industries.
17. Rempang Island has been inhabited by the Malay people since 1834. In 2023, BP Batam
plans to relocate the residents of Rempang Island to other islands. However, the
community, particularly the Malay community, rejected the relocation would mean they
have to change their livelihood, shift the residence area from coastal to inland areas far
from the coast, and the relocation could destroy the history and culture of each village.
18. On September 7, 2023, the community in Rempang Island held a demonstration to reject
the land allotment carried out by BP Batam. The local police deployed 1,000 joint troops
in the land allotment process. This security forces are not only equipped with complete
riot security attributes and equipment, but also armed with tear gas weapons and
ammunition. The tear gas was launched including to schools in the nearby area and have
caused trauma as well as affecting the health condition of the students and the teachers in
the school.
Recommendation to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR):
19. To urge the GoI to mainstream human rights in formulating and establishing policies
related to the National Strategic Project (PSN) Indonesia, as regulated in Presidential
Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 60 of 2023 concerning the National
Strategy for Business and Human Rights.
20. To urge the GoI to ensure free prior and informed consent from the community in the
preparation and the implementation of all of the PSN projects.
21. To urge GoI and investors to protect and respect human rights in accordance with The
UN Guiding Principles of Human Rights
22. To urge the GoI to avoid excessive use of force in handling any agrarian conflict in order
to prevent casualties and potential conflicts.