"We hope rehabilitation measures can be implemented soon."Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Government will rebuild 128 houses of isolated tribes in Gara island, Bertam island, and Lingka island, Batam municipality, Riau Islands province, according to an official.
"This is one of the rehabilitation programmes of the central government, which involves rebuilding the houses of isolated tribes. Central government offers assistance of 10 million rupiah for a house and the local government also provides funds," Head of Batam Social and Burial Service Kamaruzzaman said here on Tuesday.
He stated the local government was collecting documents required for the programme.
"The documents are still being processed. We hope rehabilitation measures can be implemented soon," Kamaruzzaman said.
Hundreds of tribal families live in Gara island, Bertam island, and Lingka island. They are still heavily dependent on natural resources and are not fluent in Indonesian.
Riau Islands governor Muhammad Sani said the government was seriously committed to eradicating poverty.
At least 4,416 units of houses in the Riau Islands province were rebuilt in 2011.
"This is our commitment to our people's prosperity. Because prosperity starts at home," the governor added.
(T.I025/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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