KUCHING - Sarawak and Indonesia are strengthening cooperation to ensure children of Indonesian migrant workers in the state continue to have access to basic education through Community Learning Centres (CLCs) located in oil palm plantations.

Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the matter was among the key issues discussed during a courtesy visit by officials from the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching, as reported by TVS.

She said both parties had agreed to review the implementation of the CLC programme, which has been operating in Sarawak for nearly a decade.

The review will assess the programme’s achievements and identify areas for improvement.

Fatimah said the evaluation was necessary to ensure the centres continue to meet their objectives and remain aligned with agreements reached between the Malaysian and Indonesian governments.

As of May this year, 62 CLCs were operating in plantations across the Miri, Bintulu, Mukah and Kapit divisions.

The centres provide basic education opportunities for children of Indonesian workers living in remote plantation areas.

Fatimah said her ministry was also open to expanding collaboration with Indonesia in other sectors.

These include women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, education and handicraft development.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli said the close relationship between Sarawak and Indonesia should continue to be strengthened for the benefit of citizens from both countries.

He described the meeting as an important platform for enhancing cooperation, particularly in education and welfare programmes for Indonesians residing in Sarawak.

Abdullah said discussions involving the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur were expected to produce more concrete follow-up measures in the future.

He expressed confidence that continued cooperation would generate mutual benefits and further improve support for Indonesian communities in the state.