Indon police secure island after violent protest

A 200-strong riot police team secured Rempang Island in Indonesia on Friday in response to a violent protest against a Chinese-funded economic zone and glass factory construction project in nearby Batam Island.

Machete-wielding and stone-throwing protesters opposing the project clashed with police in the main city of Riau Islands province on Monday.

Dozens of protesters were arrested after the clash outside a government agency, according to a local official.

They were part of around 1,000 people protesting against the project as they fear that building the economic zone and factory would displace around 7,500 people.

Riau Islands police spokesperson Zahwani Pandra Arsyad said the riot police will maintain security.

Jakarta secured a reported $11.5 billion investment pledge from Xinyi Glass Holdings, the world's biggest glass producer, to build the factory during a visit by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the Chinese city of Chengdu in July.

Widodo responded to the unrest on Thursday, saying anger against the project was caused by miscommunication that could have been prevented if relocation package details, including rent and meal compensation, were properly explained.

The government also said the development will create tens of thousands of jobs for Indonesians.

It aims to attract more than 300,000 jobs by 2080, according to officials, who have not said when the project is expected to be finished.

  WITH AFP