Hamzah promises free education

CIREBON, West Java: Poor children would get to go to school free if he became president, United Development Party (PPP) candidate Hamzah Haz promised on Saturday.

But the free education policy would only be imposed during the first two years of his term, Hamzah said while campaigning in Cirebon, West Java.

"The schools should not worry, because the government will subsidize them," he said.

Children from wealthy backgrounds would be exempt from the scheme, Hamzah said. He did not outline the criteria for means testing students. -- JP