Yogi Eka Sahputra, Jakarta – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka conducted a series of working visits to Batam City, Riau Islands Province, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. His agenda began with the distribution of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) at State Vocational High School (SMK Negeri) 1 Batam and concluded with a special event: the first lobster harvest.
The harvest took place at the Batam Marine Cultivation Fisheries Center (BPBL) on Setokok Island, which is managed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. This island is directly adjacent to Rempang Island, an area still embroiled in an agrarian conflict.
Rumors of Rempang visit
Gibran's visit sparked discussion among Rempang residents due to circulating rumors that he would visit the relocated houses of affected residents in Tanjung Banun Village. However, the official schedule from the Batam City Government did not include a visit to Rempang Island.
General Coordinator of the Rempang United Community Alliance (Amar-GB), Ishaka, confirmed the rumor. "Yes, there was indeed news that Vice President Gibran intended to visit Rempang, but the visit schedule we received did not list any plan for that," said Shaka on Wednesday.
Shaka expressed that even a visit might not provide a solution, as several government-offered solutions have already been rejected by residents. Still, he hoped that the residents' aspirations would reach the Vice President. "Until now, the residents of the old villages on Rempang Island still demand the legality of the old village. That has been our demand from the beginning," Shaka said.
He emphasized that the community wants the state to officially recognize the old villages that have existed since before Indonesia's independence. "What we have wanted from the beginning is the old village. The state must acknowledge that. That is what the Rempang residents want," he stated.
This request has been consistently voiced in various community events, including the recent "Pasar Rakyat Melawan" event held to commemorate the second anniversary of the Bridge 4 tragedy in Rempang on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Shaka also highlighted a recent conflict involving residents of Sungai Raya Village on Rempang Island, whose village area was designated as a hunting forest. "We ask for a reassessment of that. The people have been living there for tens and even hundreds of years. How can a hunting forest be designated while residents are living in it?" said the native of Pasir Panjang Village.
He hopes Gibran will pay attention to this conflict. "Rempang Island is an old village. If the state does not fulfill the legality of the old village, we cannot guarantee that this conflict will stop. It could even be prolonged if the state continues to insist on the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project," he warned.
The conflict over the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project continues as a majority of residents reject the plan, despite ongoing government efforts to offer solutions like local transmigration. Residents continue to refuse these schemes.