“There might be additional new transmigration areas because today we received proposals to develop 60 transmigration areas from 60 local leaders,” Iftitah said on Sunday, as quoted by news agency Antara.

He explained there had been a shift in the transmigration paradigm, noting that it was no longer about relocating people from one place to another, but rather focusing on regional development and improving local economic growth. 

“In concrete terms, we must provide more jobs and adequate income, so that there will be no more people in poverty,” he said, acknowledging that many of the established transmigration areas had ended up underdeveloped, as they had failed to create inclusive, fair and sustainable economic growth. 

“We have to be honest in acknowledging that there are several regions that remain underdeveloped, not to mention [their lack of] infrastructure, among other [issues],” he added. 

The ministry is set to conduct a thorough assessment of new transmigration site proposals to ensure they have supporting economic potential, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to create new hubs for economic growth in nonurban regions across the country, especially in Papua. 

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