Surjadi seeks more ideas on solving brawls

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)