“President Prabowo dreams of villages that are independent in food, energy, and water, with their own economic growth centers,” Iftitah said during a visit to Tanjung Banon in Riau Islands Province.
To help realize this vision, the Ministry of Transmigration is launching a pilot project in Tanjung Banon.
The effort includes research from seven top Indonesian universities in collaboration with Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH), and support from Prof. Dr. Walter Timo de Vries of Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM).
“Prof. Walter has been researching transmigration since 1988. He was optimistic about Tanjung Banon becoming a model of modern transmigration," Iftitah said.
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In the past, transmigrants were only given land and housing. Today, de Vries noted improvements such as schools, markets, and places of worship being included in planning.
The ministry is also coordinating with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to build a fishermen’s dock and with the Public Works Ministry to create green public spaces.
“All of this is in line with President Prabowo’s vision, and we hope to make Tanjung Banon a national model,” Iftitah said.
The ministry is working with the Batam Free Trade and Port Authority (BP Batam) and Batam City Government to assess funding needs and explore private sector involvement, aiming to reduce reliance on the state budget.
Iftitah added that under Law No. 29/2009, transmigration can be supported through public-private partnerships under the Assisted Voluntary Transmigration scheme.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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