Surjadi seeks more ideas on solving brawls

JAKARTA (JP): In the wake of student brawls in which four students died this month, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja appealed again to the public to seek ways together to overcome brawls.

"I don't understand (why students join brawls), it's like they have nothing better to do," Surjadi said yesterday in a visit to a subdistrict office in East Jakarta.

"Fighting, hurting others, and this culture of destruction... where did they learn that?" he questioned.

He said he hoped for positive input from the public, adding that comments from experts who only blame certain parties such as incapable teachers, does not help.

Bambang Supriadi, a student of privately run Mercu Suar technical senior high school in East Jakarta, died from a stab wound in the chest after he and his friends were attacked Tuesday by students from another privately run technical school in Bekasi.

Earlier this month three other students were killed in separate brawls in North, West and Central Jakarta. Twelve others have been killed in brawls in the past six months.

Now even university students are involved, he said. "This is really an unhealthy situation."

Students of the private Trisakti University were involved in brawls with high school students in Central Jakarta in April.

Not many students are copying younger ones, he said, but it could get dangerous if the problem is ignored.

He said the military schools for delinquent students are still effective, but the public should realize it is everybody's responsibility to avoid the outbreak of brawls.

The city has made several attempts to solve the problem, like encouraging students to participate in healthy activities and arranging talks between parents and teachers, he said.

Surjadi further praised the cooperation and hard work of Kramat Jati residents which, he said, led to several achievements.

The subdistrict of 28,129 residents won the first prize for local security systems in Greater Jakarta, and came in second in a competition among subdistricts held by the city.

Surjadi said the city will continue to focu{ on programs which directly improve people's lives, such as environmental improvement and setting up small stores in every neighborhood.

"Shopping as close as possible to home where things are cheaper will help reduce the number of trips we have to take," he said.

East Jakarta Mayor Lt. Col. Sudarsono reported that Kramat Jati has one cooperative and four small stores. The subdistrict is located near factories and a large shopping center.

Sudarsono said among 1,459 families categorized as poor in the subdistrict, 178 families have received financial assistance of Rp 40 million. Eventually the others will also get assistance if necessary, he said. (anr)