Indonesian Transmigration Minister Tasks Youth Expedition Team to Solve Regional Problems

Indonesia requires more young individuals equipped not only with knowledge but also with the practical ability to solve real-world problems, particularly in transmigration areas. Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara has therefore assigned 1,476 participants of the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) this critical role.

"Indonesia needs human resources who no longer wait for orders but can see problems, analyze them, and then present solutions. That is what we call 'initiative discipline,'" Iftitah stated during the orientation for the 2026 TEP in Bogor, West Java. He explained that this discipline is built upon curiosity, the courage to take initiative, creativity, and the capacity for innovation, qualities essential for nurturing superior human resources and future leaders.

Iftitah drew inspiration from the German principle of "initiative discipline," emphasizing that it stems from a high degree of curiosity. He believes that superior human resources are proactive, possessing creative and innovative capabilities rather than passively awaiting instructions. The minister stressed that addressing Indonesia's development challenges cannot be achieved solely through theoretical knowledge gained in lecture halls.

Consequently, TEP participants will be deployed to the field to identify pressing issues, assess local potential, conduct thorough scientific analysis, and develop practical solutions in partnership with local communities and regional governments. "If you write a thesis by observing a problem, that is knowledge. Knowledge must have methodology, systematics, analytics, and objectivity. It cannot be based solely on superficial observation or information," he remarked. The minister views the presence of these young "Patriots" in transmigration areas as a strategic investment by the state in distributing capable human resources throughout the archipelago. He acknowledged that some issues, such as land disputes, have persisted for over two decades, and participants are not expected to resolve all problems immediately. Instead, their role is to become part of a sustainable chain of solutions, ensuring that development continues regardless of political changes. "The success of development is ultimately determined by the quality of the people carrying it out," Iftitah concluded, echoing a principle he has held since his military service: "the man behind the gun."