Communication and Community Development at Rural Levels: Sharing Experiences between Indonesia and Malaysia

This article discusses the relationship between communication components and community development. Part of the discussion is based on fi eld observation in the villages of Malaysia and Jawa Barat, Indonesia. It is found that rural communities in both sides of the nations are always being focussed at for development by the States. Efforts to develop the community at the rural level requires various input or important components. It requires big allocation, suitable technology, goodpolicy, effective programmes, political commitment, stability and communication. Components of communication is considered important as other inputs. One of the important factors that contributes to the low well-being is the attitude of the people. Changes to the attitudes requires education. The approach to educate requires communication activites to advise, inform, educate, consult, discuss, infl uence and others. Communication empowers the community to make decisionwhen participating in the development process that is being suggested by the individuals or by the community themselves.