KUCHING: The Indonesian Consulate has called on employers and plantations here to allow the setting up of classes for the children of Indonesian workers to receive an education.
Asfia (centre) presents a memento to Djoko. From left are Rosa, Abang Johari and Awang Tengah.
Outgoing Indonesian consul-general Djoko Harjanto said an unused building or even just a room is enough to start the classes.
“This has been a long-term problem faced by my fellow citizens, especially those in Sarawak plantations. Therefore, I am appealing officially to the state government to allow Indonesian children to get an education where their parents are working.
“Do not worry about high costs because we are not asking for fancy school buildings, just a place for our children to study,” he said during a farewell dinner for him and his wife Rosa on Thursday.
Djoko will next serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to Syria.
In his speech, he thanked everyone who helped and cooperated with him here since 2012.
Among his roles was helping to legitimise the marriages of Indonesians here.
“Many have married here but did not register their marriages in Indonesia. Therefore,
religious and official authorities are brought over here so that the marriages can be made official back home. This would help solve many legal hiccups.”
Among those present at the dinner were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.