Heartbreaking History of Vietnamese Refugees With a Trip To Galang Island, Batam

History of Vietnam Refugee Camp on Galang Island, Batam If you learn history, definitely remember the events of hundreds of thousands of people of southern Vietnam flee leaving their homes to flee to other postwar countries in Vietnam around the 1980s. Although it has been a long time ago, you can look back on the incident, even without using a time machine. When the incident took place, these refugees left their country using boats in conditions of concern. In one boat can be occupied 40-100 people.

For months the refugees were swayed in the waters of the South China Sea, with no clear purpose. Some of them are dead in the middle of the sea and some can reach land, including Indonesia, such as Galang Island and Tanjung Pinang. This wave of refugees attracted the attention of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Indonesia. Galang Island, precisely in the Village Sijantung, Riau Islands, finally agreed to be used as a temporary shelter for the refugees.UNHCR and the Government of Indonesia are building facilities, such as IDP camps, places of worship, hospitals, and schools, which are used to facilitate about 250,000 refugees. In this place, the Vietnamese refugees resumed their lives throughout the years 1979-1996, until finally they got asylum in developed countries who would accept them or repatriated to Vietnam. The refugees were concentrated in a settlement of 80 hectares and covered interactions with local residents. This is done to facilitate oversight, regulation, security, as well as to avoid the spread of venereal disease of Rose Vietnam brought by these refugees.

Currently, the former refugee camp is used as a tourist spot by the Batam Authority

In this area, tourist can see some monuments and residual relics from refugee camps. From the remains of this relic, visitors can imagine how the Vietnamese refugees are trying to survive, away from the land of his birth. Visitors who enter this island will be greeted with the Statue of Park Humanity or the Statue of Humanity. This statue depicts the figure of a woman named Tinhn Han Loai who was raped by a fellow refugee. Shame to bear the burden of being raped, he finally decided to commit suicide. In order to commemorate the tragic event that the statue was made by the refugees. Rape is not the only criminal act committed by the refugees. Some of them also stole, even killed. That's why a prison is also built in this place. This prison is used to detain refugees who commit these criminal acts, as well as to detain refugees trying to escape. In addition, this prison building is also used as the headquarters of Indonesian Police Mobile Brigade unit served on Galang Island. Not far from the Statue of Humanity Park, 

there is a funeral area called Ngha Trang Grave. Here, buried 503 Vietnamese refugees who died of various diseases they suffered during sailing for months on the high seas. In addition, mental depression makes their physical condition weaker. Now, almost every year many relatives of the deceased come to Galang Island for a pilgrimage. In this island there is also a Boat Monument which consists of three boats used by refugees when leaving Vietnam. With such a boat they for many months sailed the South China Sea, until finally arrived in Galang Island and surrounding areas.

In 1996, these boats were deliberately immersed by refugees as a form of protest over UNHCR and GoI policies that wanted to repatriate about 5,000 refugees. Five thousand refugees are repatriated because they do not pass the test to get new citizenship. They not only drowned the boat in protest, but also burned it. After the deaths of these refugees, by the Batam Authority Government, these boats were lifted to the mainland, repaired, and exhibited to the public as historical items, reminiscent of the sufferings of the refugees. In addition, various places of worship once built to facilitate refugees, Still exist today. Such as, the Quan Am Tu Vihara, the Catholic Church of Nha Tho Duc Me Vo Nhiem, the Protestant Church, and also the Mosque. Quan Am Tu temple, is one of the most striking places of worship there. Colorful building paint makes visitors recognize it from a distance. In this building, there are three large statues with striking colors. In front of him there is a giant dragon statue that seemed to keep these three statues. One of these three statues is the Statue of Goddess Guang Shi Pu Sha. At the foot of the goddess's statue, there is a plaque that tells us that this goddess can give hockey, soul mate, harmony in the household, and also can give intelligence and grant aspiration for children. If you want to get the blessings that can be given by Dewi Guang Shi Pu Sha, then visitors can pray, beg the goddess to grant the request, then throw the coin in the direction of the goddess.

One place that can give tourist a clear picture of the daily lives of refugees is the former UNHCR office building. Entering this building, visitors can see photos of a thousand faces of refugees who had lived on the island. In addition, in a building that is now functioned as a reception office and a source of information for visitors, there are photographs of various events that occurred in these Vietnamese people during the evacuation period. This place, located about 50 km from the center of Batam.

Access to Galang Island

Located in Cijantung Village Batam and not far from the center of Batam makes this place easy to visit. By driving from downtown Batam you stay towards the famous bridge that became the Landmark of Batam pride of Barelang Bridge, but you still have to cross again to 3 small bridges from there to reach to the place that is officially named Memorial Of Galang this.

Accommodation and Travel Facilities In Batam Island

If you intend to visit Galang Island you will not find lodging in this location, therefore you should have made a reservation in downtown Batam. Not only for hotels and inns, for food stalls and restaurants only this place does not provide them. Therefore bring some snacks and drinks to prepare during your visit at this place.

Travel Tips At Memorial Of Galang

There are some things that might be a little tips and guidelines for you when visiting the location of this Memorial Of Galang:

1. Try to visit a place that used to be UNCHR office, because in this location you will find a full range of information about how the island is, even you can find out who the Vietnamese who had been on this island and become a refugee during this period. Not only that the incidents and the list of objects and buildings tyang trerdapat there also complete documented in this office.
2. Do not forget to bring snacks and drinks when you visit, because there are no shops and shops, let alone restaurants that serve your food needs while there will make it difficult for you when you feel hungry and thirsty after traveling around this vast island.
3. Perhaps a private vehicle is the best option when you want to visit, because the unavailability of public transportation makes you have to at least choose a taxi or rent a vehicle to visit there.
4. Do not forget to visit a place that provides various souvenirs and knick-knacks associated with souvenir Galang Island.

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