"Developing villages equals developing Indonesia. An advanced Indonesia requires advanced villages," the minister noted in his office's statement cited in Jakarta on Monday.
Susanto remarked that his ministry aims to collaborate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to guide rural residents away from online gambling and its detrimental impacts.
The minister then drew attention to the Free Nutritious Meals program, saying that his side is intent on working hand in hand with the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and National Food Agency to enable villages to take part in the program as ingredient suppliers.
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Furthermore, Susanto echoed his ministry's keenness to synergize with the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises to ensure equitable electrification of all rural regions across the country.
"Currently, around three thousand villages are still pitch black. For that reason, we are working to formulate (solutions) to bring light to those villages in this era of independent Indonesia," he pointed out.
Alluding to the education sector, the minister said that his office would cooperate with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to strengthen educational facilities to enhance the quality of human resources in rural areas.
In this regard, he underscored the need to build more elementary schools since some villages are still lacking such educational institutions
Susanto also stated that Deputy Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Development, Riza Patria, would soon visit some villages to directly greet local residents.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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