Two men arrested over land clash with company; residents and students demand legal transparency
Dozens of Teluk Bakau residents, joined by student activists, marched to the Barelang Police Headquarters on April 22 to protest what they claim were unjust arrests of two local men following a heated land dispute in Batam’s Nongsa district.
The protest began around 11:00 AM, when community members and Batam-based student groups gathered at Polresta Barelang. Their grievance centered on the arrests of Imanuel Ginting and Bius Patibala, whom police accused of assaulting company workers during a land clearing operation by PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa on April 20.
According to Simon, Chair of the Catholic Student Association, the arrests were carried out without warrants and no notification was given to families until late at night. “They were working when apprehended. We demand accountability for the failure to follow legal procedures,” he said.
Longstanding Tensions with Developer
Residents allege that PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa has continued its development project in violation of a prior agreement. A recent meeting with Batam’s City Council (DPRD) had reportedly resulted in a consensus that company activities would be suspended until compensation was resolved. However, land clearing resumed, leading to violent clashes.
Compensation Still Unresolved
The conflict has impacted 144 families, who say they have yet to receive compensation for their homes and land. Initial talks suggested payouts ranging between Rp10–25 million per household, but residents claim no funds have been disbursed. In the meantime, families have faced pressure to vacate the area.
Head of Criminal Investigation at Polresta Barelang, AKP Debby Tri Andrestian, confirmed the arrests and stated that investigations are ongoing to identify additional suspects in the alleged assaults. “We are following up on official complaints. The legal process must proceed,” he said.
Resident spokesperson Komaludin voiced frustration that peaceful avenues had been ignored. “We’ve submitted letters to the mayor and held dialogue sessions, but our voices go unheard. If working for justice makes us criminals, then arrest us all,” he exclaimed. A formal letter was also handed to police intelligence during the protest.
The community is urging city officials and law enforcement to revisit the terms of the agreement and enforce a freeze on company activity until all affected families are compensated. They also called for greater transparency in the legal process to ensure it does not disproportionately target local residents.
The Teluk Bakau land dispute highlights the ongoing friction between grassroots communities and large-scale developers in Batam. With tensions escalating into arrests and street protests, the call for transparency, compensation, and legal due process has never been louder. Authorities now face mounting pressure to mediate with fairness and urgency.
Sources: Batam News (2025), Catatan Batam (2025)
Keywords: Teluk Bakau Arrests, Batam Land Dispute, Nongsa Protest, Barelang Police Action, Community Rights Batam
