School land deal protested

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of parents, whose children studied at state-run junior high school 56 in the Blok M area, South Jakarta, rallied at the City Council on Tuesday, protesting the government's decision to move the school to another location.

The parents were met by the head of the city office of the National Education Ministry, Alwi Nurdin, at the council building, but received unsatisfactory response. They demanded that Alwi cancel the exchange deal.

According to the deal, the school building located on Jl. Melawai, Blok M, South Jakarta would be exchanged for another school building on Jl. Jeruk Purut, Cilandak and a plot in Bintaro, Tangerang regency.

Parents have rejected the move as the new location on Jl. Jeruk Purut would be far from their homes and is in an area that is reportedly rampant with student brawls.

PT Tata, a subsidiary of ALatief Corporation owned by former manpower minister Abdul Latief, reportedly planned to exchange the school plot on Jl. Melawai with Efatha church located next to Latief's Pasaraya shopping center for the center expansion.

Church member Mony Layoh admitted that some executives of the church foundation have received "compensation" from the company. (jun)