PPP to organize seminar on discipline

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta branch of the United Development Party (PPP) plans to conduct a series of activities in conjunction with the commemoration of the city's 468th anniversary on June 22 and of the country's 50th Independence Day on Aug. 17.

H. Hasan Dasy, chairman of the party's Central Jakarta branch, told reporters yesterday that the activities will comprise a one- day seminar, collective wedding ceremony and a free-of-charge computer course.

The seminar will be held today with the topic of "Socializing Human Resources in the National Discipline Movement in relation to Ideology, Politics, Economy, Society, Culture, Defense and Security".

The seminar will feature Malik Fajar, the rector of Malang- based Muhammadiyah University, and Hadi Mulyo, a member of the House of Representatives, as speakers.

The meeting is expected to be attended by representatives of 15 universities as well as 15 Islamic mass organizations in Jakarta, Hasan said.

He explained that the theme was chosen by the party, as a government partner in development, to support the government's efforts to uphold public discipline.

Meanwhile, the chairman of organizing committee Syahrial Purba said the collective wedding will be carried out on June 21, at Mosque Al-Furqon on Jl. Kramat Raya No.45, Central Jakarta. The mass wedding, he said, will be participated in by 40 couples, mostly jobless and homeless people living alongside railways in Senen area, Central Jakarta.

He said that many couples in the area have long cohabited, without being legally married. "The lack of money and the bureaucratic wedding procedures have become the main causes of their cohabitation, therefore this kind of service will effectively touch their real needs," Syahrial said.

"They are very enthusiastic in welcoming the activity," he said.

The other activity is the free-of-charge computer course to be held from July 17 to Aug. 18. The course will be intended mainly for high school graduates in Jakarta, he said, adding that the activity is aimed at preparing people for the workforce. (32)