Papua is indeed a fertile land and has great potential for natural resources. However, this area is also known for its minimal population, access, and technology used. The history of transmigration in Papua shows the government’s efforts to overcome this.
Transmigration is not a new program implemented by Indonesia government. Many countries are taking advantage of this program as well. The Transmigration Program in Indonesia is closely related to the island of Papua. Because this island became one of the targets of transmigration.
Getting to know the Transmigration Program
Before understanding more about the history of transmigration in Papua, it’s a good idea to know what transmigration means. As previously mentioned, transmigration is nothing new.
There are many countries, apart from Indonesia, that run this program. Transmigration is a program of moving people from more densely populated areas. To an area that is relatively less populated.
Papua as one of the areas with a low population in Indonesia, became a target for the transmigration program. Many people living on more densely populated islands, such as Java, have moved and joined the transmigration program in Papua.
History of Transmigration in Papua During Colonialization
It turns out that transmigration in Papua had occurred much earlier than expected. The problems of nature and society on the island of Papua have been faced since the Dutch colonial period.
Therefore, to develop the Papua region and also to balance the population. The colonial government at that time began to regulate the transmigration process. the first transmigration was recorded in 1903.
At that time, the colonial government sent a group of Javanese to live in Papua. Most of the people who move are workers and professionals with development goals.
There are also Catholic missionaries to spread religion. Through this program, the Colonial Government tried to get to know the local people in Papua. Starting from the language used, culture, way of life, and so on.
Transmigration After the Independence Period
When Indonesia was independent, it turned out that this transmigration program was still being continued by the independent Indonesian government. It was recorded that in 1950, 5 years after Indonesia’s independence, transmigration was again encouraged.
Although it can be said that the Indonesian government is only continuing the policies that have been carried out by the colonial government. However, it can be assumed that the objectives of the Indonesian government are different in carrying out this program.
The main goal of transmigration for Indonesia government is to balance the population in the State of Indonesia. Especially, at that time and until now the island of Java became the most densely populated island in Indonesia.
The purpose of transmigration is also developing and not only transmigration to Papua. However, there are also transmigration programs to Lampung, Kalimantan, Sumatra, and various regions in Indonesia.
Effects of Transmigration in Papua
The effects of transmigration program in Papua are felt to this day. Especially, the demographic changes in the population. The problem of population imbalance in Java and other islands in Indonesia can be overcome with this program.
In addition, this program also helps the development of transmigration destination areas, as well as the modernization process of Papua itself. However, behind the positive side, there are also negative effects of Transmigration, especially for local people.
Mainly because of the intense competition between transmigration people and local people. Both have to compete for jobs, local people’s lands are taken over, and so on.
That is the history of transmigration in Papua, the transmigration in Papua is quite long. It can be started from the colonial government before Indonesia’s independence itself, to the time of Indonesian independence.
