Batam draws migrants seeking better life
Batam draws migrants seeking better life
By Romyanah
BATAM (Antara): As the Pelni ship cast anchor along the quay, more than one thousand passengers disembarked at Sekupang harbor on Batam island. For many of them, it was their first visit and they were placing great hopes for a better life there.
Kasiman and his wife were among the group and came from a village in East Java. The couple -- who seemed ill-at-ease in their new surroundings -- had heard about Batam from former neighboring villagers now residing in the Batam area.
Pressured by their poor economic status, they were forced to leave their children at home but were determined to earn money in Batam even though they did not have adequate employment skills.
"We have come here because a friend invited us. He works as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in a residential area. He has offered us lodgings for the time being," said Kasiman.
Two decades ago, Batam was a relatively unknown and insignificant island. After its development as an industrial, trading, trans-shipment and tourism area, its image was transformed and now is like a young lady enchanting every visitor.
As an area experiencing rapid economic growth, Batam is an compelling destination for many people. In 1998, non-oil exports from the island's industrial estates reached a surplus of US$1.1 million, a growth of over 4.5 percent from the previous year.
As the administrator for development in the area, the Batam Authority announced that the cumulative value of foreign investment until Dec. 15 amounted to US$2.2 billion in 329 projects. Local investment up to that date totaled Rp 2.3 trillion in 135 projects.
During 1997, the value of foreign investment was US$148 million for 39 projects and up to October 1998 it reached US$93 million for 48 projects.
However, behind the success, a number of social problems lurk. The migration level from various regions in Indonesia to Batam during 1998 was 35 percent. This figure exceeded the average growth rate of 17 percent a year.
In the previous two years it is estimated that 200,000 migrants flocked to Batam. The majority of them lacked adequate employment skills.
Batam mayor R.A. Aziz said that the rapid migration rate will overextend the available facilities. Already, the impact of an increased population has led to an influx of illegal housing construction, overcrowded roadside trader presence and other crimes.
He estimated that currently Batam has a population of 500,000, of which 300,000 people are registered. Bantam's capacity -- in accordance with the Batam Authority Master Plan 2006 -- is a population of 700,000.
Both the local government and the Batam Authority face serious difficulties tackling the over-population problem. An even greater challenge is coping with the illegal housing boom -- synonymous with disorder, squalidness and criminal activity.
Approaching the year 2000, Bantam's population is already at near-saturation point. Adequate infrastructure and other facilities (such as accommodation) are limited. A different situation, of course, exists for investors.
The majority of migrants live anywhere they want. If they have the courage to enter the jungle, they can easily obtain shelter and set up a settlement. Housing materials remain limited: planks and corrugated iron are the main components.
The growth of illegal housing has therefore sharply increased. In 1996 it was estimated that there were 10,000 such dwellings. Two years later the total was 15,000 illegal structures built in some 65 locations.
Batam Authority chairman Ismeth Abdullah admitted that the population problem is a complex one that must be faced by Batam if it wishes to fulfill its goal of performing in the same league as Singapore.
He said that Batam's future development will reveal greater human emphasis and will emphasize social development programs.
The first and most urgent operational program in this arena is for the Batam Authority and the local government to address the problem of illegal accommodation. A project, currently underway, is expected to conclude by the end of 1999.
Cheap houses with low-cost amenities will be offered for rent to illegal dwellers. The Batam Authority, in cooperation with members of Real Estate Indonesia, has built thousands of low-cost houses (both for sale and rent). However, these are still insufficient to house all illegal tenants.
In addition, after the Idul Fitri holiday, the number of migrants to Batam has continued to increase and there is no way to limit them. If fortune smiles on them, they may be successful and return to their villages with money. However, if fortune does not favor them, they will have to work hard and do anything to survive in Batam.
Batam mayor Aziz said that the migrant issue must be handled in a civilized manner. He likened the situation to a parable which is told by the Riau people: to coax a monkey down a coconut tree, it is not necessary to use a strong wind which is capable of leveling the surface of the earth.
"The monkey will grip the coconut tree in order not to be blown off by a strong wind. But if the cool east wind blows, the monkey will become off-guard and fall asleep. Finally he will fall off the tree," he said.
Kasiman, his wife and other migrants will keep coming. They are not concerned by the difficulties faced by the local government and the Batam Authority. The question for them is how to survive, because in their home villages life is very tough.
The choice of going to Batam is a short-cut measure and they are ready to face any situation that may arise.