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Background & History of BP Batam

A Brief History of Batam Development

Batam Island has a strategic position on the international trade route of the Strait of Malacca, only 20 km from Singapore. With an area of 415 km², Batam is one of the largest islands in the Riau Islands.

In the beginning, Batam was just a small village in Pulau Buluh sub-district, Belakang Padang (1965), with about 6,000 inhabitants. The island lacked infrastructure and was not a development priority.

Great attention to Batam began during the reign of President Soeharto, who saw Batam's potential as an industrial and trade center. Subsequently, the 3rd President of Indonesia as well as the 3rd Chairman of the Batam Authority, B.J. Habibie, came up with the concept of Barelang (Batam, Rempang, Galang) connected by six bridges to expand the area to 715 km², making Batam able to compete with Singapore.

Today, Batam is a thriving industrial city with a population of nearly 1.3 million, a far cry from the swamps and small villages of the past.

Periodization of Batam Development

Tracing the milestones of Batam's development from time to time

Early 1970s
Foundation Laying
The Batam Island Development Authority was established as the basis for the management and development of this strategic area.
Early 1970s
1980s
Industry Growth
The entry of manufacturers marked the early era of Batam's industrialization, creating jobs and boosting economic activity.
1980s
1990s
Infrastructure Explosion
The Barelang Bridge, airport and container port were built as the backbone of industrial connectivity.
1990s
2000s
Investment Focus
Batam is designated as a Free Trade and Port Area (FTZ), strengthening its global investment attractiveness.
2000s
2010 - present
Digital Transformation
Batam continues to transform into a digital economy center through the development of technology, logistics, and data center industries.
2010 - present

Periodization of BP Batam Leadership

A trail of leadership from time to time that forms the foundation of Batam's development.

Ibnu Sutowo
(1971 - 1976) Preparation Period

Laying the foundation for the development of Batam as an industrial area

J.B. Sumarlin
(1976 - 1978) Consolidation Period

Develop an initial consolidation policy for the development of Batam.

B.J. Habibie
(1978 - 1998) Infrastructure Development & Investment Period

Massive infrastructure development; making Batam a national strategic industrial center.

J.E. Habibie
(March - July 1998) Advanced Period

Continue development with a focus on post-crisis stabilization.

Ismeth Abdullah
(1998 - 2005) Infrastructure & Welfare Development Period

More attention to people's welfare & improved investment climate.

Mustofa Widjaja
(2005 - 2016) Batam Development Period

Improved infrastructure, investment, and environmental quality.

Hatanto Reksodipoetro
(2016 - 2017) International Competitiveness Period

Improved performance of free trade & port areas.

Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo
(2017 - 2018) Reform & Performance Improvement Period

Management reform & sustainable development of Batam.

Edy Putra Irawady
(2019) Reform Transition Period

Transitioning BP Batam's performance towards equitable & sustainable development.

Muhammad Rudi
(2019 - 2025) Current Transformation Period

Development of modern Batam, large investments, & strategic infrastructure development.

Amsakar Achmad
(2025 - Present)
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