Lombok loses 131,000 people

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The provincial government has resettled 131,265 people from Lombok island through state- sponsored transmigration over the past 30 years.

Head of Transmigration Office Mudjijo announced Thursday that Lombok people have been relocated in East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya.

Mudjijo admitted that transmigration remains far from popular among the people. "They decide to join the program as a last option (to improve well-being)," Mudjijo was quoted by Antara as saying.

Jakarta has given Rp 19.6 billion (US$8.8 million) for the transmigration program in Lombok this year. The figure will increase to Rp 20 billion in the next fiscal year. (amd)