Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has directed Minister of Investment/Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia to resolve the Rempang Island issue with compassion. "The President stressed that the welfare of our people should be prioritized within the framework of established rules and procedures, fostering a familial spirit," the Minister remarked after a limited meeting on Monday (25/9/2023), as reported by antaranews.com. He confirmed that the President emphasized the importance of listening to the Rempang community's aspirations and protecting their rights. Plans to relocate island residents to Galang Island have been scrapped in favor of resettling them just three kilometers away in Tanjung Banun. Crucially, ancestral graves and traditional sites will remain untouched and will be made accessible for pilgrimages. Residents will receive compensation packages including land, residences, and support for their livelihoods. During construction, they will receive financial aid and housing options. In addition, the community's desire to participate in the island's investment projects will be addressed, the minister said. Almost 300 of the 900 affected households have expressed willingness to relocate voluntarily. Recent protests by Rempang  Islandresidents oppose a national strategic project involving the construction of a glass manufacturing center led by PT Makmur Elok Graha in partnership with China's Xinyi Group (ar/inp/pr/nm)