RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Transmigration has officially launched the Trans Patriot 2026 program, a strategic initiative aimed at developing 154 transmigration areas across Indonesia.

Moving away from the old paradigm of mere population distribution, the government is repositioning transmigration as a driver for inclusive, fair, and sustainable economic growth.

Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara emphasized that the modern goal of the program is to create high-quality jobs and ensure decent income levels for residents. The focus is on revitalizing underdeveloped areas by improving infrastructure, roads, and supporting facilities.

"Concretely, we must provide more jobs and decent incomes so that there are no more people living in poverty," he said during a coordination meeting in Jakarta on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

He highlighted several high-potential projects, including industrialization and fisheries in Rempang and Galang, as well as the exploration of rare earth metals in Mamuju and Maluku's transmigration zones.

A unique feature of Trans Patriot 2026 is the direct involvement of prestigious universities such as UI, ITB, IPB, and ITS Surabaya. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic expertise and community needs.

The synergy between the government and academia involves several key components designed to modernize regional development. Through academic investment, partner universities will contribute their expertise to specialized fields such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and maritime technology.

To further foster local talent, the government is introducing Patriot Scholarships specifically for residents in three pilot transmigration areas. Meanwhile, a member of the Papua Special Autonomy Development Committee, John Gluba Gebze emphesized that transmigration program has to create new economy opportunities, specifically through the development of supporting infrastructure in Papua's transmigration location.

"We want more job opportunities in Papua and greater communities involvement. We dont want poor communities in any part of Indonesia," he said.

He added that the problem of local inequality become focus of all parties' concern. A number of universities such as University of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural Institute, Bandung Institute of Technology, Pajajaran University, Brawijaya University, Airlangga University, and National University will contriute on certain subject.

"We can build ships plans in partnership with PT PAL and ITS Surabaya to better link remote areas like Merauke to the rest of the Indonesian archipelago.

The Trans Patriot program serves as one of five fundamental pillars in Minister Iftitah’s strategy to transform transmigration into a driver of national prosperity. While Trans Patriot focuses on strategic development and university partnerships, the Trans Tuntas initiative ensures the complete and seamless integration of settlements.

Trans lokal prioritizes the empowerment of local communities, complemented by Trans Gotong Royong, which fosters community-based mutual cooperation. Finally, Trans Karya Nusa aims to strengthen overall national productivity by establishing high-performance regional economic hubs.

By involving a network of top-tier campuses and focusing on localized commodities, the government aims to turn these 154 zones into new centers of economic gravity, ensuring that no region is left behind in Indonesia's journey toward prosperity. (Naura Sofia/Bambang MBKA)