DENPASAR — The Indonesian government has unveiled a controversial national solution to Bali’s escalating land crisis: a “modern transmigration” program that would see Balinese residents relocate to new agricultural settlements across the archipelago, sparking intense debate about whether this addresses root causes or merely displaces the problem.
The proposal came from Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid during his Wednesday (26/11) address in Denpasar, following his earlier announcement of a total moratorium on agricultural land conversion in Bali.
When Land Runs Out, Transmigration is Inevitable
“If land becomes unavailable here, people must be prepared for transmigration, just as in the past,” Minister Wahid stated, referencing President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious national agricultural land program targeting nearly 3 million hectares of new farmland across:
• Merauke, South Papua
• Buru Island, Maluku
• East Kalimantan
• South Sumatra
The minister specifically highlighted Bali’s critical situation: “Balinese residents must be prepared to participate in transmigration again,” he emphasized, acknowledging the island’s severe land pressure and skyrocketing property values.
The Government’s Grand Design: 3 Million Hectares, 5 Years
The national program outlines:
- 3 million hectares of new agricultural land development
- Five-year implementation timeline
- Priority allocation to local communities, not foreign investors
- Mandatory plasma land provisions for HGU permit holders
“If companies claim no local communities exist for plasma development, they must bring people from Java, from Bali,” Wahid asserted.
Critical Questions for Bali’s Future
While positioned as a poverty reduction and food security initiative, the proposal raises fundamental questions:
- Cultural Preservation: Can Balinese communities maintain their unique cultural and religious practices when relocated thousands of kilometers from their island homeland?
- Implementation Realities: Will adequate infrastructure, social services, and community support systems be established in transmigration areas?
- Root Cause Address: Does this approach solve land inequality or merely relocate residents while development pressures continue in Bali?
- Historical Lessons: Previous transmigration programs have yielded mixed results, with some communities thriving while others faced integration challenges and environmental conflicts.
Broader Context: Bali’s Land Crisis
The transmigration proposal comes as Bali faces unprecedented land pressure, with the island achieving only 62% of its mandated protected agricultural land target, far short of the 87% required by national regulation. This shortfall has triggered the government’s moratorium on agricultural land conversion and planned restoration of previously converted rice fields.
Professional Analysis
Urban planning experts note that while land redistribution addresses immediate inequality, sustainable solutions require comprehensive approaches including:
- Improved agricultural productivity on existing lands
- Vertical development strategies in urban areas
- Tourism revenue sharing mechanisms
- Strengthened land use planning and enforcement
The coming weeks will reveal whether Balinese communities embrace this modern transmigration vision or demand alternative solutions that allow them to remain on their ancestral lands while participating in the island’s economic prosperity.
For now, the government’s proposal has ignited a crucial conversation about sustainable development, cultural preservation, and what it means to be Balinese in an era of unprecedented land pressure.
Reported by Ferry Fadly
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom
