199 regions still underdeveloped

DENPASAR, Bali: Almost half of the country's approximately 400 regencies and cities remain underdeveloped, with most of these poor regions in eastern Indonesia, a minister said on Thursday.

There are 199 regencies and cities that are categorized as disadvantaged, which means between 20 percent and 30 percent of the population is poor, there is a high rate of unemployment and a lack of public infrastructure such as electricity and clean water.

To combat poverty in the regions, the government will focus on developing infrastructure and empowering people through education, said Syaifullah Yusuf, the state minister for the development of disadvantaged regions.

The minister has submitted a proposal that the government channel Rp 1.65 trillion between 2006 and 2008 to spur development in 49 underdeveloped regions. -- Antara