Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia is transforming transmigration areas into integrated economic centers to support sustainable development, attract investment and create jobs under the Patriot Transmigration Program, Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said.
The government is preparing several potential areas in the Riau Islands and West Sulawesi to become economic centers beyond their traditional residential and agricultural functions, with development focused on industrial, energy and other strategic sectors.
“One of the locations is Batam, Rempang, and Galang. The focus is on industry, and some have even been granted management rights for 350 hectares in Galang,” Iftitah said at a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said an investor had expressed interest in using half of the land to build a shipyard, with the investment valued at trillions of rupiah.
The development of a 150-hectare transmigration area could create jobs for around 21,000 workers, he said, adding that the use of transmigration areas was expected to generate investment while benefiting local communities.
Iftitah said the ministry was also exploring the potential of rare earth elements in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, after holding discussions with PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (Perminas) on possible exploration in the area.
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The ministry had also discussed the exploration plan with relevant ministries and institutions as part of an integrated economic development strategy.
“We are building an integrated economic development,” Iftitah said.
He said the transformation of transmigration areas under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration was focused on improving quality rather than simply expanding the scale of the program.
The government has designated the revitalization of 45 national priority transmigration areas as one of the main programs under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), along with the development of integrated transmigration areas and the digitization of regional data.
The development of transmigration areas is no longer focused on land clearing or population relocation, but on building investment ecosystems that create added value, expand employment and improve community welfare.
“Sustainability is very important for us, and if we want to be sustainable, we must have quality human resources,” Iftitah said.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
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