8,392 Families Participate In Indonesia's 2011 Transmigration Programme

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya JAKARTA, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Some 8,392 families took part in Indonesia's transmigration programme last year in efforts to overcome poverty and employment as well as contribute to state development. This year the programme targets participation from 9,500 families. In 2011, various infrastructure were upgraded including a 321.21km road and repairs on a 236.99km road stretch in transmigration areas covering 19 states and 35 districts. "We continue to develop infrastructure supporting agricultural activities in transmigration areas throughout the country. This is to expedite national development, progress of district development and preparing a superb human resource management," said Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, here, adding the ministry was allocated Rp1.4 trillion for the programme last year. Muhaimin said the government had carried out orientation changes in the implementation of the transmigration placement programme, whereby focus was changed from the number of participants to the quality and capacity of the programme's candidates. "The candidates need to be prepared so they have the knowledge, skill, mentality, competitiveness and ability to be independent to start a new and better life. "The training modules will be adapted to participants and the potential of their transmigration area so that they can earn an income and improve their standard of living," he added. --BERNAMA