CNN —A plan to build a multi-billion dollar Chinese glass factory in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Archipelago has sparked fierce protests from indigenous islanders who are opposed to their villages being torn down.
Riot police were deployed to the scene and fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia reported.
On Rempang island, chaos broke out on September 7 when local authorities and developers showed up to conduct land surveys and take measurements.
BP BatamIn a bid to soothe tensions, Indonesian government officials have promised improved relocation packages for residents on Rempang.
Relocation and compensation only have economic value and cannot replace the villagers’ collective memory and identity as local indigenous people,” said Arifin Jaynal Ylbhi, spokesperson for the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
Persons:
Joko Widodo, Xi Jinping, ”, “, Muhammad Rudi, Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Arifin Jaynal Ylbhi, Hong Kong, Ansar Ahmad, Didit Wicaksono, Widodo, Nur, Sophie Grig, Bahlil
Organizations:
CNN, Badan, BP, Riot, CNN Indonesia, Government, Investment, Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Greenpeace, Veteran National Development University of Jakarta, Survival, CNN Indonesia . Investment
Locations:
Riau, Indonesia, Southeast, Batam, Singapore, Rempang, Hong, Malay, ” Riau, Greenpeace Indonesia, West Papua, Jakarta, CNN Indonesia