Andre Rosiade Inaugurates Minang Migrants' Hall in Labuan Bajo
The Chairman of the Central Board of the Minang Family Association (IKM), Andre Rosiade, inaugurated the IKM Hall in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday (25/3/2026). The presence of the hall serves as an important milestone for the Minang community in the diaspora as a centre for social, cultural, and communal activities.
The inauguration of the hall was marked by the signing of a commemorative plaque by Andre Rosiade. The plaque reads: “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. By the grace of Almighty Allah, the construction of the Minang Family Association Building in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, has been inaugurated by the Chairman of the Central Board of the Minang Family Association. Labuan Bajo, 25 March 2026. H. Andre Rosiade, SE.”
The inauguration was part of a series of communal visits by the Chairman of the Central Board of IKM with the executives of the Labuan Bajo IKM Regional Board and Minang migrants. The building was constructed through collective mutual assistance by the local Minang community, who have long sought to provide shared facilities as a centre for organisational and familial activities.
On that occasion, Andre Rosiade also handed over financial assistance amounting to Rp25 million to support the completion of the Minang Hall construction in Labuan Bajo. This assistance represents tangible support for the spirit of togetherness among the Minang community in the diaspora.
The Chairman of the IKM Regional Board for West Manggarai Regency, Azwar Amir, expressed appreciation for the direct presence of the Chairman of the Central Board of IKM among the Minang community in Labuan Bajo. He stated that the construction of the hall is the result of collective efforts by residents who have mutually assisted in gathering manpower and funds gradually.
According to him, the existence of the hall is greatly needed because the Minang community in Labuan Bajo previously lacked a permanent venue for joint activities.
“We have had to seek different locations each time we held meetings. The presence of this hall is a great hope for the Minang community in Labuan Bajo as a centre for joint activities,” he said in his statement on Monday (30/3/2026).
In his address, Andre Rosiade also highlighted the importance of the role of Minang migrants in supporting the economy of West Sumatra. He noted that the contributions of migrants are significant to the economic movement in the region.
According to Andre, West Sumatra’s economic growth remains around 3 per cent, below the national average of more than 5 per cent. However, this situation is aided by the contributions from Minang migrants, estimated to send around Rp20 trillion annually to their homeland.
Andre affirmed that, as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, he continues to advocate for the development of West Sumatra through support for central government budgets for the construction of roads, bridges, and other strategic infrastructure to drive regional economic growth.
Andre also emphasised that the relationship between the homeland and the diaspora must be continuously strengthened, as migrants play a crucial role in advancing their homeland while preserving the identity and solidarity of the Minang community in various regions.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Chairman of the Labuan Bajo IKM Regional Board, Imul, the Chairman of the Building Development Committee, Aswears Aldy, and advisors to the IKM Regional Board including Suwan, Amril, Anas, Azwar Anas, and Rino Aditya.
The existence of the IKM Hall in Labuan Bajo is expected to become a centre for activities for the Minang community in the diaspora, as well as a strong symbol of the Minang residents’ spirit of mutual cooperation in maintaining unity and togetherness in the diaspora.