High school row continues

JAKARTA (JP): Deputy governor for people's welfare affairs Djailani said on Monday that the exchange deal between public junior high school 56 in the Blok M area, South Jakarta, with PT Tata Disantara cannot be annulled by the city administration.

The deal stated that the school building which is located on Jl. Melawai, Blok M, would be exchanged for another school building on Jl. Jeruk Purut, Cilandak, also in South Jakarta, and a plot in Bintaro, Tangerang, Antara reported.

Parents, however, rejected the idea, saying that the new location is too far from their houses and the area is known for students brawls.

PT Tata is a subsidiary of ALatief Corp., which belongs to former minister of manpower Abdul Latief.

Djailani said that the deal could not be canceled by the city administration because it was signed by the Ministry of National Education's city office.

Meanwhile Governor Sutiyoso regretted the deal which was made without the knowledge of the city administration, saying it had received many complaints.(hdn)