Military enlists students in discipline drive

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command has enlisted high school students in the National Discipline campaign launched last month mainly to motivate people to obey laws.

Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Wiranto secured the support of at least 1,000 students during a meeting to discuss the campaign at the Jakarta Theater on Saturday.

"Yes, yes!" the students said in chorus when Wiranto asked them if they would like to participate in the discipline drive.

The event was organized jointly by the Jakarta branches of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Information, the City Military Command, the Association of Indonesian Private Radio Stations, and the Pelita Ilmu Foundation.

The students won Wiranto's confidence by turning up on time for the gathering, something which he duly acknowledged.

"I'm asking you students to join with officers in spearheading the national discipline campaign in the city," he said.

The high school students could either take an active part, by reminding people to change their habits, or a passive role, simply by setting examples for others, he said.

The National Discipline Campaign, which was launched by President Soeharto on May 20, chose Jakarta as a pilot project. The city military and the administration officially launched their operation on June 23.

The campaign is aimed at compelling members of the public to observe basic disciplines such as standing in line, throwing garbage in the proper place, turning up for work on time and maintaining public order. Traffic violations, for which the motorists of the metropolis are notorious, have also been included in the campaign.

The operation, which involves more than 4,000 officers, has netted more than 22,000 violators. They were fined or reprimanded.

Wiranto told the senior high school students that they could become pioneers of the discipline campaign because they have the number and the potential power.

Semyon Sinulingga, head of the city branch of the Ministry of Information, said discipline should be acquired from as early an age as possible.

Senior high school students can have a strong influence on other people, he said. "Others would feel ashamed and compelled to observe the same kind of discipline that the young people are showing."

Semyon said the city administration has organized a series of programs for high school students designed to fill their spare time with productive activities.

The programs include work training at private sector and government offices.

These programs, he pointed out, are also helpful in strengthening discipline. (29)