Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharrini, as quoted from the ministry's press release received here on Wednesday, affirmed that her ministry will strive for the establishment of cell towers to support the implementation of online learning activities among children on Bertam Island and two other islands in the Batam area.
"I will install towers (cell towers) on three islands. Children study at branch schools appointed by the mayor. Children study here with the help of internet facilities. It is like the Anak Dalam Tribe in Jambi," the minister stated during her visit to Bertam Island on Tuesday.
Rismaharini lauded the efforts of Bertam Island's residents in handling waste and suggested the formation of cooperatives to support the residents' waste management efforts.
"In other places, there are waste banks. The cooperatives will buy plastic waste, weigh it, use it, and will process it into fuel. Later, it (the fuel) can be used for your own ships, ladies and gentlemen, not for sale," she remarked.
Rismaharini affirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs will send representatives of islanders to Jakarta and Surabaya to study the waste bank management and waste processing model.
In addition, the minister of social affairs instructed her staff to list the islanders, who are eligible to receive social assistance from the government, and prepare an economic empowerment program for women on the island.
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"I will also dispatch a team to train women to create products, and we will teach (the women) how to sell them," she stated.
Deputy Governor of Riau Islands Marlin Agustina and Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi lauded the central government's support for the provincial and city governments' efforts in providing essential services to residents living on the islands.
"Hopefully, this program would make us even better," Agustina remarked.
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Translator: Devi Nindy, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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