Rp 400 m for Matraman youths

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta Mayoralty has allocated Rp 400 million for the second phase of an outbound project for youths in the Matraman area in a bid to change their juvenile behavior that has led to pointless brawls.

East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mappaganty said the funds would help about 200 youths get involved in the second project.

A total of 113 youths participated in the first outbound project in Cisarua, Bogor, which was also sponsored by the mayoralty.

Since then 62 of them have been employed by several private companies based in East Jakarta, Antara reported.

According to Mappaganty the training emphasizes mental aspects, leadership and teamwork. Most of all it is designed to eradicate their antagonistic tendency towards communal violence.(emf)