PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODO ASKED TO OPEN STATE UNIVERSITY IN MENTAWAI ISLANDS

President Joko Widodo in a dialog session

Padang, 28 Dzulhijjah 1436/11 October 2015 (MINA) – Villagers in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, have asked the government to open a state university in the region to improve the quality of local human resources and their living standard.

“The quality of human resources in the remote areas Mentawai is still low, and they are mostly senior high school graduates. We are hoping that a state university be established here,” said Firman, the Bulasat village chief in South Pagai Sub-district, Mentawai Islands, in a dialogue with President Joko Widodo during his visit to South Pagai, Mentawai, on Saturday.

According to Firman, there are approximately 1,000 high school graduates yearly in the Mentawai Islands in difficulties to continue studying.

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In addition, the village chief also asked the central government to build roads, electricity, telecommunications networks and requested the state-oil company Pertamina to guarantee the availability of fuel oil (BBM) to make their prices affordable.

Responding to the request, the President promised to make it happen, including establishing a state university.

The president also said he would conduct discussions with Pertamina to study the possibility of constructing oil refineries.

The prices of fuel oil in the region are ranging from Rp14,000 to Rp 20,000 per liter, Firman said, adding it is burdensome expenditure for local people. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)