Governor of Banten Andra Soni at the Halalbihalal event of the Batak Muslim Association (Ikabamus) at the Islamic Center Cilegon, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that 16.87 percent of the population in Banten Province are migrant residents.
If the population of Banten based on BPS data in 2025 is 12.5 million, then 16.87 percent of that, or about 2,108,750 residents, are migrants.
This data was presented by the Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, during the Halalbihalal event of the Batak Muslim Association (Ikabamus) of Banten Province in 2026, held at the Islamic Center Cilegon on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
According to the BPS census, in the last five years, the percentage of migration to Banten has reached 2.15 percent of the total population.
In his speech, Andra Soni stated that the presence of migrants has a positive impact on the region’s economic growth.
He assessed that migrants bring a spirit of work, skills, and experience that enrich the province’s competitiveness.
“It is recorded that about 16.87 percent of Banten’s population are migrant residents. This supports economic growth because the people who come have a spirit of work and skills,” he said.
Andra Soni also expressed appreciation for the Halalbihalal event, which unites residents in the diaspora. From this gathering, it was learned that many residents have settled for years.
“They had settled before Banten Province was formed,” he said.
The Chairman of Ikabamus Banten Province, Edison Sitorus, explained that the organization was formed to strengthen Islamic brotherhood, while also increasing the contribution of diaspora residents to regional development.
This event was also attended by the 13th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma’ruf Amin. In his speech, Ma’ruf Amin spoke about brotherhood in Islam, which does not discriminate based on ethnicity or group. According to him, Islam is a religion that brings mercy to all humanity.
“Whatever their ethnicity, if they are Muslim, they are brothers in Islamic brotherhood,” he said.
On that occasion, Ma’ruf Amin also invited Ikabamus to maintain unity in the nation and state. Gathering in the effort for unity among people is the foundation for humanity to maintain peace on earth.
“Because the most honorable in the sight of Allah SWT is the most pious,” he concluded.
