The transmigration program in Indonesia has a long history, beginning even before independence.
During President Soeharto’s era, particularly in the 1970s to 1980s, this program saw a massive expansion, relocating hundreds of thousands to millions of people, primarily from Java to outside Java.
The implementation of the transmigration program was not without risks. One challenge faced by the program was the potential polarization between the indigenous population and the transmigrants.
“This polarization can occur when a particular ethnic group or culture dominates the new area, creating tension with the local population,” said Dr. Muhammad Ryan Sanjaya, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), on Friday (Oct. 25).
Dr. Sanjaya further highlighted another potential conflict that may arise from the transmigration program: the emergence of social inequality.
The newcomers tend to be more successful and may expand their land holdings, ultimately leading to social jealousy.
“This situation can foster positive competition and prosperity, but on the other hand, it can also sow the seeds of conflict,” he said.
He added that an important aspect to consider in the transmigration program is the readiness of the transmigrants regarding the conditions in the destination areas.
With the primary requirement that transmigrants must be married, Dr. Sanjaya believes that the government should bind them to certain conditions, ensuring they do not merely seek short-term benefits and disappear.
Nevertheless, Dr. Sanjaya mentioned that several studies have shown the success of the transmigration program.
The program is successful in some aspects, such as reducing conflict in certain areas, although the process has not always been smooth.
“The transmigration program has many positive aspects. Many believe that transmigration can create conflict, but researchers have found that conflict levels are relatively low in many places,” he explained.
However, Dr. Sanjaya also emphasized the need for the transmigration program to be carried out sustainably, maintaining good relations with the local communities.
Transmigrants are expected not to act independently without involving the local population. From an economic perspective, if vacant land lacks human capital, the presence of transmigrants will have a positive impact.
They will contribute to production in the area and help build the local economy.
In Dr. Sanjaya’s view, the government still needs to implement the transmigration program. This program is necessary as part of efforts to redistribute the population to address overcrowding on the island of Java.
“I believe there still needs to be government facilitation for redistribution because the fact is that the majority of the population is concentrated on Java, while outside Java, many areas remain undeveloped and underutilized,” he concluded.
Report by: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Author: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif