Transmigration Ministry Transformation Tackles Land Conflicts

The Indonesian Minister of Transmigration, M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, has revealed the government’s strategy to promote the transmigration programme as a method for population redistribution, reducing population density, and establishing new economic growth centres in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s transmigration programme has been active since the era of President Soekarno in the 1970s and has continued to evolve through subsequent administrations. However, the programme still faces challenges regarding supporting facilities and infrastructure, as well as the need for economic resources to improve the welfare of transmigration communities and ensure equitable development.

Under President Prabowo’s administration, the Ministry of Transmigration is implementing several transformations of the national programme. This includes the restructuring of transmigration lands to ensure settlers obtain Freehold Titles (SHM) to prevent land conflicts, as well as assisting migrants in opening business lands.

Furthermore, the Ministry continues to encourage the optimisation of transmigration lands, particularly in East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Aceh, and Sulawesi, where these lands contain oil, gas, and coal reserves that could serve as new economic drivers for local communities.

Another sector for economic growth within transmigration communities is tourism, as seen in Raja Ampat, West Papua, and West Manggarai.