“We cannot run transmigration programs in any location without requests or proposals from local governments,”Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara emphasized that the 2025 transmigration program will prioritize local placement at 94 percent, while newcomers will account for only six percent.
“To avoid any questions or doubts about where the Ministry of Transmigration is placing residents in transmigration areas, this year we are focusing on 94 percent local transmigration. For newcomers under the Nusantara Work transmigration program, it is only six percent,” the minister said.
During a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Thursday, Iftitah explained that transmigration placements cannot be carried out arbitrarily but must be based on official requests from local governments through inter-regional cooperation mechanisms in accordance with the transmigration law.
“This is also to clarify that in some regions there are concerns about population movement from Java to outside Java without the knowledge of the local government. That is not possible,” he said.
He stressed that in Kalimantan and other areas, the focus is on local transmigration in line with requests from district governments.
“We cannot run transmigration programs in any location without requests or proposals from local governments,” he added.
In South Papua, for instance, 100 transmigrant families were all indigenous Papuans, as requested by the region, even though the initial request reached 200 families.
The minister noted that public interest in transmigration remains high, with more than 8,000 families registered, but only 95 were accepted after a strict selection process considering their skills to ensure positive contributions.
He explained that transmigration composition varies across regions, such as in Sidrap District with 76 percent locals, Poso District with 70 percent locals, Polewali Mandar District with 65 percent locals, and Central Halmahera District with 80 percent locals.
“We are focusing on those who have skills so that when they move into the new areas, they can provide training to local communities. This means they are no longer considered as people left behind,” he said.
The policy aims to maintain demographic balance, ensure that welfare development starts with local communities, and prevent concerns about population transfers from Java without approval from destination regions.
“We conduct proper selection in line with regional requests while keeping the majority composition for local transmigration,” he added.
He underlined that local transmigration will remain the top priority, while newcomers will be selected carefully to serve as trainers and companions for local communities, ensuring that transmigration truly improves residents’ quality of life.
“Once again, we prioritize welfare development starting from local communities,” the minister said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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