8 villagers
Sources
In the early hours of 18 December 2024, around 20 employees of Rempang Eco-City project developer PT Makmur Elok Graha came to Rempang and reportedly attacked residents. The employees brought weapons, including arrows, machetes, knives, and clubs. Eight people were injured, village posts were destroyed, and dozens of motorcycles belonging to Indigenous villages were vandalized.
Many residents have been opposing the Rempang Eco-City project in Indonesia due to allegations of violating the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples, evictions, and harm to traditional livelihoods.
Before the attack, villagers apprehended an employee of the PT MEG destroying a community banner opposing the project. Some villagers, before turning over the employee to the police, wanted to have a written agreement with PT MEG to not come to the village again and to cease all intimidation. The negotiation was not successful and the next morning, the PT MEG employees came to the village.
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre previously invited Xinyi International Investment and PT Makmur Elok Graha to respond to allegations related to the Rempang Eco-City project, including attacks on human rights defenders. Xinyi International Investment said that they have not initiated any eco-city project nor entered into any agreements or contracts. They also said that they truly respect and care about Indigenous Peoples' rights. PT Makmur Elok Graha did not respond.