Indonesia still has 13 mln illiterates

Kudus, East Java (ANTARA News) - The number of illiterate people in
Indonesia today is estimated at 13.9 million, Golkar Party Vice
Chairman Agung Laksono said.

"This number is five times that in Singapore or almost equal to that in
Malaysia," Agung said at a get-together with Golkar Party cadres here
Thursday.

Indonesia now has a population of about 220 million.

Agung said the Golkar party should think of ways or programs to help overcome illiteracy in the country.

However, illitere people sometimes were quite able to read figures, especially when counting money, Agung noted.

In connection with the next general election, it was important for
political parties to help reduce the illiteracy rate because voters
needed the ability to read party or candidates` names when casting
their ballots, he said. (*) END