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.