TEMPO.CO, Batam - President Prabowo Subianto government’s plan to evaluate the Rempang Eco City, a National Strategic Project (PSN) initiated during Jokowi’s administration, has brought new hope for the Malay residents of Rempang Island in Batam City, Riau Islands Province. These residents are urging Prabowo to evaluate and even cancel the project as it is detrimental to the village community who have lived on the island for hundreds of years.

“I truly hope that Prabowo will stand with the people because he is the one who can cancel this Rempang Eco City,” said Nia, a Rempang resident when met at Sembulang Pasir Merah Village on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Nia emphasized that the Rempang community views President Prabowo as their last hope to prevent the implementation of this project, which they believe will severely impact their livelihoods and disrupt their centuries-old way of life. “We all place our hope in Pak Prabowo, as he is the leader of all Indonesian people,” she said while shedding tears.

Nia, who is currently battling illness, vowed to continue her fight to protect and stay in Rempang until her last breath. 

Tempo's observations on Monday revealed that residents have begun to repair the damage caused by the attack allegedly carried out by employees of PT Makmur Elog Graha (MEG), the company involved in the Rempang Eco City project. The police have apprehended two PT MEG employees as suspects in the attack.

Residents have also reinstated a banner featuring President Prabowo and General Soedirman at the Simpang Dapur 6 post in Sungai Buluh, which was previously damaged during the attack.

The new government under Prabowo has committed to evaluating National Strategic Projects (PSNs) inherited from the previous administration. Deputy Speaker of the People's Representative Council (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, announced this during the "Indonesian Development 2025: Hopes and Challenges" seminar in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.

“Pak Prabowo will do small things for the people and evaluate national strategic projects that are less useful for the community,” Sufmi stated, as quoted by Antara.

According to records from the Committee for the Acceleration of Priority Infrastructure Provision (KPPIP), a total of 233 PSNs were initiated during the administration of the 7th President Joko Widodo, including the Rempang Eco City project.

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