ATR/BPN Ministry Deploys Patriot Expedition Team to Map Land Issues in Transmigration Areas
The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) has enlisted the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) in an effort to accelerate the resolution of land issues in transmigration areas. Deputy Minister of ATR/BPN Ossy Dermawan said that the data collection carried out by TEP can speed up the identification of ownership, tenure, and legality problems affecting transmigrant land as material for accelerating the Trans Tuntas Programme.
According to Ossy, the transformation of transmigration is no longer merely about relocating populations, but is now directed at creating new economic growth centres through more equitable and sustainable resource management. For this reason, the presence of the Patriot Expedition Team is an important part of supporting that transformation.
“Do not be surprised if various problems of ownership, tenure, and legality of transmigrant land are still found in transmigration areas. We hope the Patriot Expedition Team can record these problems and coordinate with land offices in the regions so that they become part of the resolution effort,” Ossy said at the release ceremony for the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team at Balai Kartini, Jakarta.
He explained that land issues in transmigration areas have complex characteristics because they are influenced by a history of land tenure that has lasted for decades. Therefore, the data gathered by the Patriot Expedition Team in the field will serve as important input for the government in formulating appropriate resolution measures.
Ossy stressed that the ATR/BPN Ministry together with the Ministry of Transmigration continues to strengthen synergy through the Trans Tuntas Programme to resolve various land legality issues in transmigration areas, including the settlement of conflicts and overlapping land claims as well as the strengthening of Agrarian Reform.
“Every problem certainly has a solution if we work together to find a way out. The Trans Tuntas Programme is one of the government’s efforts to improve the legality of transmigrant land gradually,” he said.
In addition to supporting the resolution of land issues, the Patriot Expedition Team is also expected to contribute to the development of transmigration areas through applied research. According to Ossy, the team’s field observations can provide input for spatial planning in the areas, including the refinement of Detailed Spatial Plans (RDTR) that serve as the basis for investment facilitation and the development of transmigration economic zones.
“The students will certainly venture into these areas and will be able to provide excellent input regarding the refinement of our national spatial plan as well as the detailed spatial plans in those regions,” he said.
Ossy also entrusted three messages to all Patriot Expedition Team participants: build empathy and trust with transmigrant communities, produce research capable of providing solutions to problems on the ground, and leave a sustainable impact on the transmigration areas where they serve.
“We hope that you will not only come to conduct research, but will be able to produce relevant, applicable solutions that provide real benefits to transmigrant communities.”