RI minister making comparative study in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s State Minister for Acceleration of Development of Disadvantaged Regions M Lukman Edi is making a comparative study at Universiti Malaya and the Federal Land Deveopment Authority (Felda) in Ipoh Perak, Malaysia.

"My comparative study is being conducted in an effort to strengthen the programs we will draw up in 2008," the minister said after visiting Universiti Malaya and Felda Thursday night.

During his stay in the neighboring country, the minister also took the opportunity to visit Malaysia`s ministry for rural development.

Lukman said his ministry was expected to develop model villages in border , coastal and remote areas and city outskirts.

"There will be 30 model villages under the terms of reference of my ministry, other relevant ministries and the private sector," he said.

"The meeting with the rector of Universiti Malaya was aimed at getting support for the academic study which will be combined with those conducted by universities in Indonesia," he said.

During his stay in Malaysia, the minister and entourage also visited Felda`s model areas in Ipoh Perak. The program on Felda model areas was a successful project in the development of disadvantaged regions through transmigration programs which also included establishment of oil palm, rubber and sugarcane plantations.

The transmigration areas seemed to be successful as seen from the changes from the model of houses on stilts to walled houses. All the people in the areas could afford to buy cars and send their children to institutes of higher learning.

Malaysia provides the transmigrants with good facilities including meeting halls and those for schooling purposes as well as facilities where housewives can make handicraft articles to supplement their families` income.

The Malaysian government also provides facilities to develop the skills of students in the Felda villages who failed to continue their studies at institutes of higher learning.

As they have been successful in improving their economy and education, most Felda farmers` children were not inclined to become farmers.

The farmers therefore hire migrant workers to work on their plantations.