Therefore, it is quite proper if the matter is ruled in the bill."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR) passed a bill on medical education into law at a plenary meeting here on Thursday following heated debate over a number of clauses.

"All factions have agreed to pass the bill on medical education into law and therefore, I bang the gavel," Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Priyo Budi Santoso who led the plenary meeting said.

A number of lawmakers were embroiled in heated debate over a number of clauses, forcing the chairman of the meeting to suspend it to allow participants make lobbies to reach an agreement.

In his speech related to the government`s final views, Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh representing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the bill was important to ensure the adequate number of medical workers across Indonesia.

"Right now many doctors are concentrated in large cities, while remote areas are in dire need of medical workers. Therefore, it is quite proper if the matter is ruled in the bill," he said.

"This bill ensures the integrity between the medical/dental schools, the fulfillment of the need for medical workers and affordability of tuition fees," he said.

In addition, the bill also contained the standard of medical education quality guarantee, he said.

(Reporting by Jaka Suryo/S012/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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