How do you save a home?
"i want to scream and shout and let it all out"
Hello everyone,
We hope you have been staying safe and well this past month.
Presently, we are monitoring the situation in Pulau Rempang, where 7,500 islanders are facing eviction to make way for the new eco-city development. Among these are Orang Laut, Orang Darat and indigenous Malays who have called the island home since 1834. The Indonesian government made a deal with Chinese glass producer Xinyi Group to build a quartz sand processing factory on the island in July 2023, subsequently issuing eviction notices for residents to vacate the area by September 28. Clashes erupted between residents and security forces on September 7 when officials attempted to enter homes to take measurements and at the BP Batam office on September 11. While 43 people were initially arrested, most have since been released, albeit with convictions.
We stand in solidarity with the islanders and support their right to resist this abrupt and forceful eviction, and to remain on the island. While the villages occupy only 10 per cent of the island’s land, surrounding areas hold significant cultural and historical value for the community, including, for instance, ancestral burial grounds. Many islanders express deep sadness at the prospect of relocation, as it threatens not only their livelihoods but also their way of life and cultural traditions. They question why the government insists on their departure, especially when the eco-city is supposedly aimed to enhance the prosperity of Rempang residents. Projects like the eco-city often tout benefits such as carbon reduction. For instance, products from the Rempang factory will likely be sent to the new $12.3 billion (SGD) solar farm being constructed at an island near Batam to supply energy to Singapore by 2027. However, as noted by SG Climate Rally, our transition to renewable energy must follow the principles of a just energy transition, ensuring that local communities have the power to influence the decision-making process. Crucially, our switch to renewables should not worsen socio-economic issues for our neighbouring communities.
For more information and updates on the Rempang situation, please refer to this post by SG Climate Rally. Additionally, a fundraiser for the islanders and political prisoners is ongoing if you are looking to contribute financially:
Locally, we’re also aware of upcoming development projects on both mainland Singapore and our offshore islands. Projects involving land reclamation raise concerns due to their potential impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity both locally and where our sand is mined from. Consequently, livelihoods and cultural practices tied to the environment are at stake. Notable projects include:
Reclamation works on the eastern end of Pulau Sudong to upgrade an existing runway for military aircraft. Experts warn of potential losses of up to 2 hectares of coral reefs, seagrass habitats and mangrove forests. The waters surrounding Pulau Sudong are important to former islanders, who still set up bubu traps nearby, despite already observing a rapid decline in fish abundance following Sudong’s development.
The 800 hectare ‘Long Island’ project aims to reclaim land along Singapore’s East Coast or a string of offshore islands from Marina East to Changi for reservoir creation, recreational spaces and flood protection measures. Ongoing technical studies are being conducted by the government in the area.
Eco-tourism developments on the Southern Islands include initiatives such as the introduction of glamping tents on Lazarus Island. These form part of the URA’s plans to ‘pilot new tourism concepts’ on the Southern Islands, including Pulau Blakang Mati (Sentosa) and Pulau Brani.
Redevelopment of the Greater Southern Waterfront area, which stretched from Pasir Panjang to Marina East. Certain areas within this redevelopment zone, such as West Coast Park and nearby neighbourhoods like Telok Blangah, hold historical significance and one of the treasured spaces for the Orang Pulau community.
On a lighter note, the highlight of our past two weeks was getting the opportunity to visit Choa Chu Kang Secondary School and the Harbourfront Library with our roving exhibition as part of our outreach efforts!
At Choa Chu Kang Secondary School, the students participated in an engaging exhibition, played games, viewed archival photos, and even wrote heartfelt letters to our Orang Pulau/Laut community members.
We believe that the youth plays an imperative role in our conservation efforts, as echoed here by Mr Hubert, a history teacher at the school.
Similarly, our exhibition at the Harbourfront Library met with a lovely response by the public. Opportunities like these allow us to share our narratives, and we hope to do more in the future.
It was a pleasure to engage with numerous students, teachers, and other visitors, sharing our stories and answering questions. Next, we’ll be heading to The National Library!
If you’d like to collaborate with us or hear more about our upcoming projects, feel free to drop us an email hello@oranglaut.sg or join our Telegram group.
The people behind The Black Sampan will be hosting a Raya gathering on 9 May, alongside Lepak Conversations and supported by Common Ground Civic Centre. Come celebrate if you can!
