Superior Human Resources Key to Transmigration Transformation, Says Minister

The transformation of transmigration currently being undertaken by the government requires superior human resources to successfully create new economic growth centres across various regions. According to Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, the quality of human resources is a determining factor for the success of downstream processing, industrialisation, and the development of new economic zones, alongside investment, technology, and natural resources. “If we want downstream processing to succeed, new economic zones to grow, and Indonesia to become a developed country, then we need superior human resources. The key is result-oriented discipline in completing the mission,” Iftitah said during a briefing for 1,476 participants of the Patriot Expedition 2026 in Bogor, West Java, on Monday, 27 July 2026. According to Iftitah, the need for superior human resources forms the foundation of the Transmigration Transformation, which is no longer solely oriented towards population relocation. The government is directing transmigration areas to become new economic growth centres capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, increasing productivity, and simultaneously strengthening Indonesian unity. Therefore, each transmigration area requires human resources who not only possess technical competence but are also able to identify problems, introduce innovations, develop local potential, and create added value that directly impacts the community. Iftitah stated that such character can only be realised through result-oriented discipline. Discipline, he said, is not merely about punctuality or compliance with rules, but about ensuring every task produces a solution and every target is truly achieved. “Discipline is not just about arriving on time or marching in line. Discipline is about ensuring every mission is completed, every target is met, and every job benefits the community,” he said. In addition to competence and discipline, Iftitah also stressed the importance of the ability to build closeness with the community. According to him, the development of transmigration areas will progress more quickly if human resources can understand the character, culture, and needs of the local community. “The Ministry of Transmigration is no longer just about moving people. We are building civilisation and moving lives,” Iftitah said. “We must have cultural attachment. Indonesian unity is not enough just on the map, but must also grow in the daily lives of the people,” he said. He expressed hope that the Patriot Expedition 2026 Team would become an example of superior human resources capable of combining knowledge, leadership, and social awareness to deliver real solutions in transmigration areas. The Patriot Expedition 2026 Team consists of 1,476 participants divided into 246 teams and will serve in 53 transmigration areas across Indonesia. They will map regional potential, identify development challenges, and formulate science-based recommendations to accelerate the development of transmigration areas as new economic growth centres.