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.