Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has lamented the fact that North Maluku, one of the country’s richest provinces, still lives in poverty and faces teacher shortages and poor school infrastructure. 

“Everyone knows that North Maluku has incredible natural wealth, but the community does not yet feel prosperous,” Anies said during a campaign visit to Ternate, North Maluku, on Friday, as quoted by Antara News.

“Therefore, please support change by choosing [Anies-Muhaimin] in the presidential election on Feb.14.”

North Maluku has one of the country’s richest nickel deposits. In the first quarter of last year, its economy grew by 16 percent, the highest in the country. But the at the same time the poverty rate in the province rose to 6.46 percent from 6.23 percent a year earlier. 

Anies addressed several issues in North Maluku, including the region’s educational challenges. Contributing to the educational disparities in the archipelagic province, according to Anies, are the pressing issues of teacher shortages and dilapidated school infrastructure.

Anies, who is a former education minister, recalled visiting South Halmahera in 2011-2012 under the Indonesia Mengajar (Indonesia Teaching) program. Observing a strong desire for learning among children on Bacan Island, he emphasized the need to provide educational opportunities for intelligent youngsters in North Maluku.

He also called for a commitment to fight for equality in education, living expenses and the distribution of wealth in the province.

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