Street children asked to safeguard capital

JAKARTA (JP): Street children, invited on Friday to Jakarta Police headquarters for lunch, received Rp 10,000 and food packages and were encouraged to help safeguard security in the capital.

City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman distributed packages of instant noodles and sugar to the 154 street children, including newspaper sellers and cigarette vendors, and told them several big events, including the general election in June, were scheduled over the next few months.

At the get-together the two-star general said "there will be some important events, including an increasing number of street rallies".

It was a strong likelihood, Noegroho cautioned, that individuals might approach them and request their participation at protests in exchange for money.

"We don't have the authority to prevent people from voicing their demands. If you don't know anything but are arrested for joining illegal rallies or anarchic protests, then you'll be punished too."

He suggested the children avoid invitations from unknown people to join protest activities.

"If you happen to be on a street when a protest rally takes place, just watch it and help us to identify suspicious people trying to provoke others to do bad things."

The street children were selected from different areas in the capital including Tomang and Grogol in West Jakarta, Hotel Indonesian roundabout in Central Jakarta and Pancoran in South Jakarta.

Achyadi, 16, said that although he was surprised by the invitation, he was happy to be at City Police headquarters.

A policewoman stopped at the Tomang intersection, where Achyadi works, and disembarked from her Kijang van.

"At first I thought she was raiding us, but we subsequently were told that we'd be given food and money."

"After (the event) I still have to sell newspapers to enable me to earn more money."

Police invited food vendors who operate in the vicinity to enter their headquarters and serve the children. (emf)