Amsakar Affirms Transmigration as a Driver of Equitable Development

Batam Mayor and ex-officio Head of the Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam), Amsakar Achmad, has affirmed that the transmigration programme plays a strategic role in driving equitable development and reducing inter-regional disparities in Indonesia. He made the statement while speaking at the launch of the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team, organised by the Ministry of Transmigration at Balai Kartini, South Jakarta, on Thursday, 30 July 2026. The event is part of the Transmigration Transformation implementation as outlined in the Ministry of Transmigration’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2029. Through this programme, 1,476 highly qualified human resources, who are members of the Patriot Expedition Team, will be deployed to various transmigration areas across Indonesia to foster innovation, community empowerment, and accelerated regional development. In his presentation, Amsakar stated that inter-regional development gaps remain a challenge that must be addressed collectively. Therefore, collaboration among all stakeholders is needed so that transmigration areas can develop into new, sustainable centres of economic growth. On the occasion, Amsakar also shared the Batam City Government’s experience in handling the relocation of communities affected by investment development in Rempang and Galang. According to him, the presence of the Ministry of Transmigration through the construction of a new settlement area in Tanjung Banun provided a solution that offers certainty for the community while supporting integrated regional development. “Alhamdulillah, the Ministry of Transmigration’s presence in building the settlement area in Tanjung Banun has been the best solution. The community gains land certainty, and an integrated settlement ecosystem with various supporting facilities will be built,” said Amsakar. He assessed that this success was the result of synergy between the Batam City Government, BP Batam, the Ministry of Transmigration, and related ministries and agencies. “This is the result of joint work. When the central government, Batam City Government, BP Batam, and all stakeholders move with a single vision, the best solution for the community can be realised,” he said. During the dialogue session, Amsakar also answered a question regarding the strategy for aligning his roles as Mayor of Batam and Head of BP Batam in integrating spatial planning and investment services to avoid bureaucratic barriers. According to him, the main key lies in integrated development planning through the development planning consultation forum (musrenbang). With this mechanism, the programmes and budgeting between the Batam City Government and BP Batam can complement each other, preventing overlap. “We carry out development planning together. Through the musrenbang mechanism, we align programmes and budgets so there is no overlap. BP Batam handles more strategic infrastructure development, such as roads, ports, and area facilities, while the Batam City Government focuses on basic services and social community aspects,” he explained. Furthermore, investment services in Batam continue to be strengthened through an integrated service system involving various ministries and agencies. This step is taken to accelerate the licensing process, simplify services, and provide legal certainty for investors. In front of hundreds of Patriot Expedition Team members, Amsakar expressed his hope that the participants would become agents of change contributing to the progress of transmigration areas throughout Indonesia. “I believe in the training that has been provided to the Patriot Expedition Team members. God willing, your presence in transmigration areas across Indonesia can build conduciveness, mobilise communities to be more productive, and bring new energy to drive regional progress,” he concluded.