Transmigration Ministry Approves 7.8-Hectare Land Use for 'Sekolah Rakyat' in North Kalimantan

The Ministry of Transmigration has granted in-principle approval for the utilisation of 7.8 hectares of transmigration land under its management rights (HPL) for the construction of a Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) in Ardi Mulyo Village, North Kalimantan. The move is expected to broaden access to education for children in transmigration and border areas. Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara stated that building the Sekolah Rakyat is not merely about providing educational facilities, but is a long-term investment in improving the quality of human resources. He added that the development would simultaneously encourage the growth of new economic centres in transmigration areas. “In principle, we will certainly support the government’s objectives, especially if the transmigration HPL is used for economic activity centres. A school is also part of an economic activity centre,” Iftitah said during a meeting with North Kalimantan Governor Zainal A. Paliwang at the Ministry of Transmigration office in Jakarta on Monday, 20 July 2026. He explained that the presence of a school would generate various new economic activities, from the growth of community businesses and increased demand for services and trade, to the creation of jobs that ultimately boost local welfare. Legally and administratively, the intergovernmental land use will be carried out through a Right of Use scheme. The Ministry of Transmigration will coordinate with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency to ensure the process complies with regulations and maintains state asset governance. Governor Zainal A. Paliwang expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s swift support. He noted that the Sekolah Rakyat is an urgent necessity to expand educational access, particularly for communities in border and transmigration areas. As a province that is only 13 years old, North Kalimantan still faces challenges in human resource development, with parts of its territory classified as underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions bordering Malaysia. “To improve North Kalimantan’s human resources, which is only 13 years old. This is a very young age, and coincidentally we are still included in the underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions. We are also located in a border area. This border is Indonesia’s showcase, Mr. Minister,” Zainal said. Beyond the school construction, the meeting also resulted in a commitment to accelerate infrastructure development in transmigration areas, particularly in remote regions like Krayan. Through the Trans Gotong Royong scheme, the Ministry of Transmigration will facilitate coordination between the North Kalimantan Provincial Government and the Ministry of Public Works to speed up the construction of functional roads and wooden bridges. The infrastructure development is expected to reduce travel time for residents, smooth the distribution of organic agricultural products, lower logistics costs, and open wider access to education, health services, and various economic activities.