What are our enemies today? The first of them is poverty
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Poverty is one of the main enemies that should be eradicated, according to Minister for Villages, Disadvantaged Areas, and Transmigration (PDTT) Abdul Halim Iskandar.

"We have a very noble duty to mark the Republic of Indonesia's 77th Independence Day (HUT RI) by continuing to confront challenges and eradicate enemies in front of our eyes," he told ANTARA here on Wednesday.

"What are our enemies today? The first of them is poverty," he remarked.

To this end, village development in Indonesia is directed in accordance with the Village Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) policy that includes the first goal of Village Without Poverty.


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In addition, the other enemies include stunting and ignorance. Moreover, Indonesia should have a competitive future generation.

Iskandar noted that developing Indonesia from the outskirts, primarily villages and underdeveloped regions in the country's border, should be the duty and responsibility of the Villages, Disadvantaged Areas, and Transmigration Ministry.

Thus, border areas will become sovereign, prosperous, and secure regions, he noted while serving as the Flag Ceremony Inspector for the 77th HUT RI in Fohoeka Village, Nanaet Duabesi, Belu, East Nusa Tenggara.

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"It certainly becomes part of my responsibility on how to develop villages in Indonesia and expedite the development of underdeveloped regions to become better and to become economically prosperous, creative, and independent," he remarked.

Border areas are related to transmigration areas. To this end, the ministry continues to encourage the development of transmigration areas based on the unification of system and technology, such as by realizing transmigration area 4.0.

"I will certainly continue to strive to develop transmigration regions to become more technologically adept to provide as much opportunities as possible for national economic equity of villagers," he noted.


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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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