Transmigranten in Indonesien - Ihre Motive und Erfahrungen

Abstract Transmigration is one of the most controversial elements of Indonesian development strategy. Because of the lack of knowledge about the motivations, expectations and experiences of migrants, two surveys have been conducted. They were carried out, before transmigration, in transit camps on Java, Madura, Bali and Lombok, and after transmigration, in eight new settlements in Riau and East Kalimantan. Both samples and results are representative of the government-sponsored type of "large scale" transmigration. The results clearly show the dominance of poverty motives as a major reason for migration, apparently pushing social and cultural factors, which as a whole impede mobility, into the background. Consequently, expectations of migrants are very modest, mainly oriented to safeguarding their basic needs and subsistence. Although the situation in the new settlements often does not correspondto official promises, difficulties are overcome by the pioneering attitude of transmigrants.Observations show that subsistence can normally be secured during the first two years, and that in the following years a clear process of development is possible. prerequisite for the success of the programme is, however, more satisfactory solutions to problems of planning and implementation. The authors identify major bottlenecks and submit some proposals for better solutions.