MoSA Distributes Aid to 3T Communities on Sebatik Island

SEBATIK ISLAND (3 November 2023) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini during a visit to the Least Developed, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) areas in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan provided some assistance to empower local communities, including in the fields of education and welfare.  After visiting Krayan District on Thursday (2/11), on Friday (3/11) Minister of Social Affairs distributed aid to the community on Sebatik Island, Nunukan Regency.

Sebatik Island is owned by two countries.  The northern part of Sebatik is the state of Sabah, Malaysia.  Meanwhile, the southern part of Sebatik covers an area of ​​246.6 square kilometers, wider than the northern part, and is part of Indonesian territory in Nunukan Regency.  Sebatik Island consists of 5 districts and 19 villages.

During her visit to Sebatik Island, Minister of Social Affairs assisted in the form of 400 units of Solar Public Street Lighting (PJUTS) and assistance for the renovation of six house buildings worth a total of IDR 4.1 billion, as well as a seaweed drying machine worth IDR 76.1 million.  Apart from that, Minister Risma also provided school supplies for 169 children, as well as three personal computer (PC) units for the Al Khairaat Islamic Boarding School, East Sebatik.

The Minister also heard complaints from residents, students, and Islamic boarding school caregivers, especially regarding the limited health services and the lack of scholarships for school-age children.  Hearing residents' complaints, Minister of Social Affairs said she would try to help various residents' complaints, including education for residents living in 3T areas.

The Minister said again that similar difficulties were also faced by people living in 3T areas when she visited the border areas of Papua with Papua New Guinea, East Nusa Tenggara with Timor Leste, and Bertam Island with Singapore.  The government is gradually solving these various problems according to the problems faced by the community.

The most important thing, according to the Minister, is that parents must continue to do their best to send their children to school.  On the other hand, children must also remain enthusiastic about going to school.  "Children must always be respectful and must not go against their parents, because parents always try to give the best for their children," said Risma.

Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Deddy Sitorus, who accompanied Minister Risma, said that the presence of Minister of Social Affairs in the 3T area in Nunukan Regency was a form of state presence to empower the community, including in the fields of welfare and education.  It is not easy to solve the various problems faced by people in the 3T area, but the government continues to try with all its existing capabilities.