Lawmaker wants technology investment to create jobs, skills and infrastructure benefits for Batam.
As Batam attracts major artificial intelligence and data-center investment, an Indonesian lawmaker is urging authorities to ensure the technology boom delivers tangible benefits for local workers rather than simply expanding high-tech infrastructure.
DPR Calls for Local Hiring
House of Representatives Commission VI member Rahmat Saleh called on the central and regional governments to ensure AI and data-center investments in Batam create employment opportunities for local residents. Speaking during a working meeting with state-owned enterprise partners and the Riau Islands provincial government in Tanjungpinang on October 9, Rahmat said large technology investments should provide direct benefits to surrounding communities.
High-Tech Facilities May Create Limited Jobs
Rahmat cautioned that data centers and AI infrastructure are highly technology-intensive and may therefore employ relatively few people once they become operational. He said projects could require substantial labor during construction but significantly fewer workers after completion, raising concerns that local residents could receive limited long-term employment benefits.
Government Urged to Strengthen Negotiations
Rahmat called on national and regional authorities to maintain a strong negotiating position with investors so projects also improve the capabilities of Indonesian workers, particularly young people in the Riau Islands. He argued that Batam should not become merely a location for storing and processing AI data while local residents remain excluded from jobs and skills development.
Investors Asked to Support Water and Energy
Beyond employment, Rahmat highlighted the significant electricity and clean-water requirements of data centers. He urged investors to contribute to infrastructure development so these needs do not rely entirely on government funding through national or regional budgets. He cited private-sector participation in Singapore’s urban infrastructure as an example while emphasizing that investment in Batam should also deliver benefits for the wider Riau Islands.
DayOne Project Requires Major Power Supply
Among the companies developing data-center infrastructure in Batam is DayOne, which partnered with PLN Batam in April 2026 to support its facility in the Kabil area. BP Batam said the agreement covers electricity supply of 511 megavolt amperes, equivalent to around 450 megawatts, to be delivered gradually during 2026 and 2027. Rahmat said he supports continued technology investment in Batam while calling for its economic benefits to reach local communities.
Batam’s growing AI and data-center sector is bringing large-scale technology investment to the Riau Islands, but lawmakers are increasingly focusing on how those projects translate into jobs, workforce development and stronger infrastructure. For Indonesians, particularly Batam residents, the debate centers on ensuring local communities share in the benefits of investment. For Singaporeans, Batam’s expansion is relevant as the neighboring island develops its own digital infrastructure ecosystem while drawing comparisons with Singapore’s approach to infrastructure investment.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Antara News (2026)
Keywords: Batam AI Investment, Batam Data Center, Local Workers Batam, Rahmat Saleh, Digital Investment Batam, Riau Islands Jobs
