Robert Go, Batam – After migrating from Medan in July, it took Mr Gunawan Nasution more than two months before finding a job in Batam. He now works as a groundskeeper at one of the island's posh hotels, earning around 600,000 rupiah (S$115) each month.
Like Mr Gunawan, around 250,000 people from other parts of Indonesia – Java, Sumatra and even far away Flores – have come to Batam since 1998 in search of a better life. Most came because of the severity of the economic conditions in their hometowns. "It was very difficult to find jobs in Medan. But opportunities still exist here," Mr Gunawan said.
But the reality is that few are lucky enough to get jobs these days; most end up unemployed and living in one of the rumah liars or illegal shantytowns. Mr Ismeth Abdullah, chairman of the Batam Industrial Development Authority (Bida), understands very well why people flock here. "It's a very tough life in their hometowns, and they see Batam as successful and rich," he said. However, he said that while Batam may not be suffering as much as other Indonesian parts from the economic crisis, it is not left unscathed by it and the current global recession.
The economic picture is still positive when compared to the rest of Indonesia, but the island has its share of problems. Just last year, the 94 companies that operate within Batamindo, the island's largest industrial estate, slashed 10,000 jobs altogether. While projects slated to be finished during the next year would create a maximum total of around 20,000 jobs, that number is too few to address unemployment.
This is the No 1 problem that Mr Ismeth and his partners in government have to solve as a result of the overflow of migrants. Officials seemed unsure of exactly how many unemployed people there are here, but several suggested that around 10 to 15 per cent of the population, or nearly 75,000 people could belong to that category. "It's a severe problem, a major migraine," said Mr Mustofa Widjaja, director of housing, manpower and social development at Bida.
In addition to the unemployment issue, new arrivals have also disrupted Batam's careful city-planning programme by erecting more than 50,000 illegal houses throughout the island. The authorities try to resettle the squatters periodically, but each effort is always met with resistance and protests from the people.
Crime is yet another problem, according to police statistics, with the number of illegal drug abuse, smuggling, vandalism and theft cases on the rise since the influx of people started. In July, Malaysian maritime officials said many illegals trying to get to Batam were using Singapore as a transit point.
Screening begins To combat the migrant problem, government officials have started a new screening programme this month designed to control who gets entry into Batam. They are also thinking of putting in place a "passport programme" for people who live here.
The key strategy involves setting up checkpoints at various entry points to the island where incoming people are asked to prove that they already have housing and employment options.
Those without "good reason" to be in Batam will be turned back, and according to the authorities, more than 100 people have been rejected for entry during each of the first three days of the programme's operation.
The government may also issue electronic cards to each valid resident soon so that those who already live in Batam can easily bypass the screening process. "It's a drastic measure, but we are bursting at the seams and cannot afford to have people who ultimately end up burdening the rest of the island," said Mr Ismeth Abdullah, head of the local industrial development authority.