JP\/5\/RULI<\/p>\n
Squatters a threat to investment climate in Batam<\/p>\n
Fadli
\nBatam<\/p>\n
The rapid population growth in Batam has caused the number of
\ntemporary houses occupied by squatters to reach 40,000 units.<\/p>\n
Based on data from the Batam Industrial Development Authority
\n(BIDA) in 2002, the city's population was 247,588 in 1996, but
\nthat figure doubled to 533,521 in 2002.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the workforce in Batam also surged steadily. The
\nemployment figure in the city stood at 126,311 in 1996, but,
\nreached 172,709 in 2002.<\/p>\n
The increasing population and workforce have created problems
\nfor the city administration, particularly regarding the number of
\ntemporary houses that have been erected due to the high demand
\nfor housing.<\/p>\n
The government has often tried to evict the squatters but met
\nwith stiff resistance. The squatters argue that the government
\nhas offered them very little compensation. Clashes between the
\nsquatters and city officials have been frequent. The latest
\nincident occurred two weeks ago in Lubuk Baja subdistrict here,
\nin which two people were shot and seven others allegedly beaten
\nby police personnel. Several cars were burned in the incident.<\/p>\n
A political science lecturer at Pekanbaru's Riau University
\n(UNRI), Muchid Al Bintani, said that the problem dated back to
\n1974 when the central government declared Batam a bonded zone.
\nMuchid criticized the government for the ambiguity of its
\ndeclaration.<\/p>\n
\"The government did not anticipate the influx of migrants to
\nBatam, who entered Batam without acquiring any skills. They
\nturned out to be jobless -- vagrants or scavengers -- who were
\nnot supposed to live in a bonded zone,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No.
\n43\/1977, on land management and usage in industrial areas in
\nBatam, and National Land Agency Regulation No. 9-VII-1993 on land
\nmanagement and allocation in Batam have negative implications for
\ninvestors.<\/p>\n
\"Investors would contact the BIDA, if they were interested in
\na particular plot of land owned by the city administration.
\nProblems would arise, however, if people were squatting on that
\nland. Compensation must be paid -- the administration previously
\noffered low compensation, and there were riots. Land allocation
\narrangements should be stricter and compensation should be
\nappropriate,\" said Muchid.<\/p>\n
Investors should be provided with favorable options, not the
\nsquatters, he said.<\/p>\n
Batam authority spokesman Dwi Djoko Wiwoho said that efforts
\nto control squatter areas had been initiated through preventive
\nmeasures. Batam municipality had introduced a bylaw whereby
\nanyone who arrives in Batam must state a clear purpose, a
\nguarantor and place of stay.<\/p>\n
Also, several low-cost apartments that can accommodate
\nthousands of people have been built in three areas -- Batu Ampar,
\nSekupang and Muka Kuning.<\/p>\n
Muchid said that the administration had prioritized the
\nproblem of squatters living in Batam.<\/p>\n
The rapid migration to Batam, compared to other areas of
\nIndonesia, is not on a par with its area of only 415 square
\nkilometers or only about 41,500 hectares. This is reflected by
\nthe high price of real estate and rental properties.<\/p>\n
A 27\/60 (a 27 square meter house with 60 square meters of
\nland) Ordinary House (RS) in Batam sells for Rp 40 million
\n(US$4,700).<\/p>\n
The high price of real estate is also evident in the cost of
\nrenting a room in a boarding house in Batam, of between Rp
\n200,000 to Rp 500,000 per month.<\/p>\n
Population in Batam 1996 to 2002
\n=================================================================
\n1996 247,588
\n1997 254,745
\n1998 266,428
\n1999 358,700
\n2000 462,528
\n2001 527,151
\n2002 533,521
\n=================================================================
\nSource: Batam Industrial Development Authority<\/p>\n
Employment figure in Batam 1996 to 2002
\n=================================================================
\n1996 126,311
\n1997 135,858
\n1998 139,986
\n1999 148,247
\n2000 155,591
\n2001 161,648
\n2002 172,709
\n=================================================================
\nSource: Batam Industrial Development Authority<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5ruli-1447899208",
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