High school gang fights

High school gang fights

From Republika

As a Jakarta citizen I am greatly concerned about chronic high
school brawls in the capital city. Many people become victims
when they are trapped in brawls on the streets. I strongly hope
security personnel, especially the police, will be serious in
following up Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman's
statement on Feb. 12 that stern measures would be taken against
high school students engaged in gang fighting.

I wonder why the police are able to handle demonstrations by
university students in the thousands but fail to curb brawls by
high school students whose number is smaller? In student brawls,
the place and time are relatively constant so that preventive
measures and handling the fights should be relatively easier.
Apparently the police need to learn from other big cities in Java
which rarely are arenas for student gang fighting.

High school brawls in Jakarta have already caused great losses
to the community, especially city bus operators whose vehicles
have been severely damaged in brawls. The high school students do
not dare fight empty-handed or confront their foes on a one-to-
one basis. Many innocent students have become victims.

The police should punish the culprits so that they become
responsible and confident, and reluctant to commit similar acts
in future. They should not carry their brutality with them when
they become university students and are compelled to join
demonstrations and confront armed police officers. The action of
throwing stones at riot police often takes place in Jakarta. Such
is not the case in Bandung.

Punishment for brawling students may take the form of social
work. Students committing the offense a second time should be
given more social work.

ARIF BASTARI

Jakarta