A transmigrant success story

JAKARTA (JP): A former bus conductor from Jakarta who transmigrated to Bengkulu, Sumatra eight years ago revealed here yesterday that as a result of his hard work he is now earning a net income of Rp 7 million (US$3,245) a year.

"I was interested in transmigrating after watching on television the positive aspects it could offer," said 32-year-old Anton Muhyidin.

The former Jakarta resident explained that his income comes from his land harvest, transportation business and small shop that he owns.

However, Anton's success story is not indicative of the other transmigrants from Jakarta, where only half of the 25 families remain with Anton at the settlement site in Bengkulu.

Anton said those who left had not tried hard enough to cultivate their land or get another job as factory workers near the transmigration site.(mds)