Australian Parliamentary Members’ Visited Maros Regency, South Sulawesi

On August 3, 2018, the Australian Parliamentary Delegation accompanied by the Australian Consulate General in Makassar visited the Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. This visit is meant to provide a better understanding on the development of Indonesian and Australian partnership relation particularly relating to democratic governance, promoting tolerance among religious followers, social issues, health and education, as well as regional economic development.

The Maros visit began with a meeting at the Regent’s Office in which the delegation was directly received by the Vice Regent of Maros, HA Harmil Mattotorang and several other officials. Sharon Claydon, a parliamentary member representing New South Wales was deeply impressed with Maros Regency’s achievement by having succeeded in becoming one of the children friendly regencies in Indonesia.

During the visit to the Regional Representative Assembly (DPRD), the delegation was welcomed by Chaidir Syam, the Chairperson of Maros DPRD.  In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Chadir stated, “The regional regulation on Child Friendly Regency, the regional regulation on Gender Mainstreaming, and regional regulation on Early Childhood Education are a number of successes achieved by DPRD and the Maros Administration that were supported by BaKTI Foundation, a partner of the MAMPU Program.” In addition to these achievements, DPRD Maros, also explained about the development of Participatory Recess, which is also assisted by the MAMPU Program and BaKTI Foundation enabling DPRD members to optimally absorb aspirations of the people.