Isolated tribes live in poor conditions

TERNATE, Maluku: A social service official is concerned about the poor living conditions of many isolated tribes in the forests of Mangole and Taliabu islands in North Maluku, Antara reported.

Sofwan said earlier this week that many members of the nomadic tribes are still unclothed. He said, however, that the government is cooperating with Pattimura University in the provincial capital of Ambon to help introduce the tribes to "civilization." (rms)