"The sending of migrant workers (TKI) abroad must be stopped, because the per capita income of the Indonesian people has increased from US$1,000 last year to US$3,000 this year," Kalla said here Wednesday.
All problems faced by the nation should be seen as challenges and be dealt with jointly, he said.
"We must protect the nation`s dignity by improving the national self-reliance. And it could be realized by not depending on other nations, including by not becoming TKI. In Addition, technology and education are also very important," he said.
If Indonesia wanted to be dignified, it must become self-reliance which would be achieved with the support of technology and education, he said.
He cited South Korea and Japan as examples of a success story in self-reliance program. They don`t have vast farming areas, but they could meet their food demands and never face shortages.
To achieve the food self-reliance, the government must be firmed and fair.
"Don`t expect to have dignity if we still expect others` mercy, and don`t expect to have dignity if we still eat rice from others," he said.(*)
HAJM/F001
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
