Mass protest set in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): Some 280,000 jobless residents in Tangerang are to stage a massive rally at the local City Hall, demanding the resignation of Regent Agus Djunara over his failure to eradicate unemployment in the area, a protest group spokesman said.

Benteng Youth Council (MPB) spokesman Syaiful Rizal said on Thursday that a final chance would be given to Agus during the planned protest.

"The 280,000 protesters will have application letters in their hands, which must be distributed via the Tangerang administration office to the thousands of factories and small-scale enterprises operating in this regency," Syaiful told reporters.

"If Agus fails to grant the protesters jobs within three months of the day of the protest, we want him to step down. The unemployed youths are frustrated with the apathetic responses of the regent to our needs."

Data from the Tangerang Office of the Ministry of Manpower, state that at least 4,000 factories and small-scale industries are spread out in the West Java region, which covers Tangerang, Syaiful said.

"With so many factories, this regent can surely get the 280,000 protesters jobs," Syaiful said. (41/ylt)