Rich should help poor children

SEMARANG: Wealthy people should help the poor and neglected children that roam major city streets, especially in Java, a social observer said yesterday.

Diponegoro University's Soewono said that the number of poor and neglected children is rising and that the rich could help ease the problem.

"Problems facing children, such as those who make a living as shoe polishers and newspaper hawkers, are not only economic but a result of rapid population growth," he said.

In a seminar held in conjunction with National Children's Day yesterday, Soewono said that the street children usually come from broken families. They have to make a living without their parents or relatives to supervise them, he said.

"Tragically, they (children) are often accused of involvement in crimes. They complain they often receive unfair treatment from officials in charge of security and public order," he said. (har)