SMP 56 students ready to move

JAKARTA: At least 55 of 95 students of junior high school SMP 56 on Jl. Melawai Raya, South Jakarta, have enrolled to attend additional courses before registering with other state schools.

The remaining 40 students have continued to study on the sidewalk outside the school grounds after the city administration sealed the school building on Nov. 17.

In a meeting with House of Representatives' Commission X on education, Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said on Monday the 55 could continue studying at other schools for free.

The commission's deputy chairman, Anwar Arifin, called on all parties to stop involving students in the dispute over the legal status of the school building.

The Melawai school was sold to developer PT Tata Disantara in 2000. Some teachers, students and parents suspected irregularities in the deal and have refused to move to the new premises in Jeruk Purut, South Jakarta.

The school is currently awaiting the final decision from the Supreme Court. --JP

;JP;MLT; ANPAj..r.. Greater-thugs-attack JP/8/

Thugs attack public order officers

TANGERANG: A group of thugs at Pasar Anyar market attacked public order officers while the latter were evicting street vendors occupying part of the road, injuring two of the officers.

Head of the public order officers' 35-strong team, Sabar Situmorang, and Fatillah were rushed to Tangerang General Hospital after receiving serious machete wounds to their hands and legs.

One of the officers told The Jakarta Post that it was the first attack after several months of patrolling the market.

"The police at a police post nearby did nothing to stop the hoodlums," he said.

Tangerang Police deputy chief Adj. Comr. Aan Suhanan said that he has sent officers to search for the attackers. -- JP