Matraman youths to be given business training

Matraman youths to be given business training

JAKARTA (JP): In an apparent attempt to help reduce prolonged
clashes in the brawl-ridden Matraman area in East Jakarta, the
National Board of Social Welfare (BKSN) is holding a workshop on
small-scale enterprises empowerment for some 100 youths and
community leaders in the area.

BKSN chairman Anak Agung Gde Agung said on Monday that 100
participants from Palmeriam, Kebon Manggis (Berland) and Kayu
Manis subdistricts are joining the workshop from Monday until
Wednesday next week in Cianjur, West Java.

Anak Agung said the workshop was held to promote the
participants' social resilience, understanding about national
unity and cooperation to set up joint productive enterprises.

"In another words, the scheme is part of the government's
efforts to settle the prolonged clashes among local Matraman
residents," said Anak Agung as quoted by Antara.

Anak Agung believed that the scheme would be able to reduce
the scale of the clashes as the program would provide an
opportunity for the young residents, who are mostly jobless, to
set up businesses of their own.

"Therefore, the participants will be able to earn revenue from
the activities," he said.

He also believed that reduced idle time would decrease the
youth's desire to get involved in the clashes.

Anak Agung said that after completing the training, the
participants would be divided in groups to run home industries,
in which each group would have 10 members from three different
subdistricts.

He said the board would give the participants the initial
capital to start the business.

"Initially, the board will form 10 groups, each will be given
an initial capital of Rp 10 million (US$1,075)," he said.

Anak Agung, however, did not elaborate on when the next phase
would be carried out.

A participant, A. Djamal, 30, praised the program, saying that
the job opportunities offered would be able to diminish clashes
among the dwellers.

"The youths, who are jobless, are very sensitive. Therefore
once a resident says something offensive against the opposite
residents, then it will create a clash," said Djamal, a dweller
of Palmeriam subdistrict, said as quoted by Antara.

Ali, a senior figure of the Palmeriam subdistrict, confirmed
that the 100 participants departed for Cianjur on Monday.

"It's a positive program. However, the most important thing is
the follow-up of the workshop.

"The government should give them guidance after completing the
workshop, since they have very minimal experience to run small
businesses," he told The Jakarta Post by phone on Monday.

He said the scheme would not be able to reach its target, if
there was no such follow-up.

The clashes, which mostly occur between residents of Kebon
Manggis and Palmeriam subdistricts, have occurred for the past 30
years. The clash was initially sparked by the sons of former
national independence fighters in Berland, against their
opponents who were mostly sons of former KNIL (Netherlands
troops) in Palmeriam.

The city administration has made efforts to provide
alternative solutions for the prolonged clashes on several
occasions, including holding gatherings, but with no success.
(asa)