Kids rally against gambling

BANDUNG (JP): Frustrated by the fact that ferocious demonstrations against gambling and prostitution were always left unheeded, an education activist here went to pupils for the job.

Dozens of students of Koran Ann-Nur kindergarten, who are aged between four and six years old, rallied on Saturday to demand the closure of an alleged gambling den and adultery house on Jl. Gardujati.

Instead of marching on the street, the children were carried by dozens of three-wheel pedicabs rented by the chairman of the foundation running their kindergarten, Yayan Sofyan.

Flanking the children during the morning parade were their parents.

Unlike students or adult demonstrators, the children, dressed in Muslim attire, chanted the religious song Shalawat Badar and yelled a hymn for God the Greatest during the rally. Many people turned up to watch the protest.

The students earned Rp 5,000 each for their participation in the parade.

Five-year-old Iqbal admitted he joined the protest upon his teacher's orders. "I'm happy because I could join a parade with my friends," the little boy said.

However, it was not a joyful trip for some children, who cried asking for water.

The children played with their peers when the parade stopped near a pub on Jl. Gardujati, while the adults talked with the amusement center's owner.

"We just want to ask the provincial administration to quickly eradicate the mushrooming immoral activities here. The children must know that such activities are bad," Yayan said.

Yayan was questioned by subdistrict military officials over the motives behind the rally. But he was released later in the day. (25/edt)