RI Regions Sharing Borders With Other Countries Relatively Poor: Minister

Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the regions sharing borders with neighboring countries are relatively backward and poor.

"Therefore, outlying regions must be developed with funds sourced from the state and regional governments budget," the minister said on Saturday.

Parawansa added that her ministry was responsible for rehabilitating the isolated and traditional communities. Therefore, she had visited the outlying areas to monitor and take stock of their condition.

The results of this effort are expected to help improve the assistance extended to the needy.

Parawansa said the government will also formulate a system to provide assistance of one roof over peoples heads.

To avoid conflict among the regional and central governments, it is important to carry out and validate the findings of the monitoring process.

She said regional governments also need to collect data periodically on the poor in their regions in order to synchronize policies between the regional and central governments.

The regional governments are familiar with the number of such poor people in their regions and so the budget earmarked for the poor will not overlap.

Earlier, Minister Parawansa had visited the Meranti Island District to provide the isolated local community with assistance worth Rp500 million for housing renovations and Rp50 million for public facility improvements. She also provided three generators for the locals.