Indonesian islanders protest eviction for solar panel factory
22 September 2023
3 minutes
Violent protests are shaking the Indonesian island of Rempang to its foundations. In August, residents were told they would be evicted from their homes to make way for a glass factory. But they are not going to let that happen. “Residents spontaneously took to the streets in their thousands when they noticed that the police and the army were taking to the streets en masse to place posts that made it clear that they would lose their land for good,” says 11.11.11-partner Walhi who supports the protests.
Expansion for growing demand for solar panels
De 7.500 inhabitants from the Indonesian island of Rempang were slapped in the face in August when they were told that they must leave their homes by the end of SeptemberTheir pristine habitat must make way for a Chinese glass factory, which must meet the growing demand for solar panels in the world. All residents must now move some 60 km inland. A tragedy for residents, as many live from the sea and local fishing.
But thousands of residents are not going to let that happen and strike back hard to defend their habitat. “This is our place of origin since the time of our grandparents. This is our village and our history. We do not want to be deported. Whatever happens, we will risk our lives,” says fisherman Arahim defiantly.
The factory will be the centrepiece of an industrial zone, cynically named 'Rempang Eco-City'. It is a multi-billion dollar project by Xinyi Glass, the world's largest glass and solar panel manufacturer, which wants to build its largest factory outside China there.
Excessive police violence
Although ambitious plans for Rempang Eco-City have been on the table for almost two decades, local residents have only now been told they must leave their villages by the end of the month.
After all, the government sees the local population as an obstacle to the construction project. The late announcement caused protests to escalate.
Although the demonstrations were initially peaceful, the police use excessive force, such as tear gas and water cannons. Because some protests are taking place near schools, some schoolchildren even had to take cover from tear gas canisters that landed on school grounds. Several residents were also injured and dozens have been arrested. The National Human Rights Commission has condemned the police violence and called for everyone to be released.
No energy transition without justice
Dewy Puspa, campaign manager at our partner Walhi: “We work with hundreds of indigenous groups across the country, supporting them where necessary to protect their land rights. In Rempang, these rights are once again being trampled on, without any consultation from the population, which is why we offer legal and moral support. "
Like 11.11.11 Walhi is for an urgent energy transition, but the way it is happening now is destroying people's lives. "The government is now offering compensation and waving thousands of jobs, but these traditional fishing communities don't care. They don't want to give up their cultural and economic traditions to go work in a factory."
The transition to renewable energy is urgently needed to stop the climate crisis, but it must be done fairly, with respect for local communities and without land grabbing. No energy transition without energy justice!
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