Government Accelerates Resolution of Muaro Jambi Transmigration Land Dispute

The government is strengthening legal certainty for the transmigration area in Muaro Jambi by resolving a land issue that has persisted for years. The move is expected to provide legal protection for the transmigration community while safeguarding the status of land reserved by the state. Minister of Transmigration Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara stated that the resolution represents the state’s responsibility to ensure the rights of the transmigration community are protected in accordance with legal provisions. “For almost 17 years, the transmigration community has been waiting for certainty. The state cannot allow them to continue waiting. Our task is to ensure the community’s rights are protected while maintaining legal certainty,” Iftitah said in a statement on Tuesday (30/6/2026). The discussion took place through a Final Case Review Meeting held by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) together with the Ministry of Transmigration in Jakarta on Monday (29/6/2026). The process was preceded by document research, clarification from involved parties, cross-agency coordination, and joint field surveys. The investigation found that 67 plots of land are located within the transmigration reserve area based on Jambi Governor Decree Number 285 of 1990. A total of 50 plots covering approximately 99.48 hectares are recommended for follow-up through legal mechanisms due to administrative defects. Meanwhile, 17 plots covering approximately 24.53 hectares where no administrative defects were found will continue to receive legal protection. Iftitah emphasised that the government examined each plot of land objectively based on facts and applicable regulations. “Those without administrative defects remain protected. Conversely, for plots found to have administrative defects, the state is obliged to follow up through the applicable legal mechanisms. The state must be fair to all parties, but also cannot allow the rights of the community who have long awaited certainty to continue being neglected,” Iftitah said. According to Iftitah, this resolution serves as an important foundation for strengthening legal certainty in transmigration areas across various regions. “What we are safeguarding is the legal certainty of all transmigration areas in Indonesia. Areas that have been reserved by the state for the people’s interest must maintain legal certainty so that the transmigration programme can continue to provide benefits for future generations,” Iftitah stated. Deputy Minister of ATR/BPN Ossy Dermawan said the entire process was carried out professionally, objectively, and transparently, with the expectation of producing an accountable resolution. “So that this long-standing issue finally obtains legal certainty,” Ossy said. The Muaro Jambi Regency Government, the Jambi Provincial Office of BPN, and the Muaro Jambi Regency Land Office were also involved in handling the case. The government has ensured that all recommendations from the case review will be followed up in accordance with statutory regulations.