1,600 students to quit school

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 1,600 students from strife- plagued North Maluku are liable to quit universities here as their parents are no longer sending money, a student activist said on Tuesday.

Mochtar Adam, chairman of the Forum for Maluku Provinces Society (Forkap-Malut), told The Jakarta Post that the students -- especially those from Galela, Jailolo and Ternate areas -- had not received any money from their families since October due to the continuing conflict in the new province.

"We have practically nothing left here and have to work for a living. We heard our farmlands and belongings were destroyed.

"We don't know whether our parents are still alive, so we no longer expect money from them."

Mochtar said the students hoped the universities would exempt them from paying tuition fees.

He also urged the city administration to promptly help students who had fled conflict-torn Ambon. He said with the number of displaced students increasing, a policy that would allow them to continue their studies was needed.

Separately, Sulawesi's Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusuma donated three tons of rice to the students residing at the dormitory for natives of North Maluku. (27/01)