TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Fined street children arrested
Sixteen street children and teenagers were sent to a local social institution in Bogor municipality on Tuesday because they were unable to pay the Rp 5,000 (53 US cents) fine imposed on them
Change Size
Sixteen street children and teenagers were sent to a local social institution in Bogor municipality on Tuesday because they were unable to pay the Rp 5,000 (53 US cents) fine imposed on them.
Head of Bogor's social policy regulation enforcement division Parid Wahid, said public order officers arrested 34 street children and beggars including 11 underage children.
Those who were 17 or older stood trial on misdemeanour charges, while those under 17 were sent directly to a Bogor childrens home.
"Those who were unable to pay the fine had to be admitted to the home, to join the underage street children. During their stay, they will be given education," said Nurhayani, from the development division of Bogor's children's home.
During their stay, she said, the children will be offered schooling. "We can enlist them for Kejar Paket A (a non-formal school program equivalent to elementary school)," she said.
Among those at the institution was 11-year-old Marpian, who has been a street musician for six years. He is forced to sing on the streets because both of his parents have passed away.
"I get Rp 30,000 to Rp 40,000 per day from singing on the streets, sometimes only Rp 10,000. Most of my money I give the warung keeper for safekeeping, leaving me Rp 10,000 to buy food," he said.
