TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said the city administration would transform slums under the bridges in the capital into sports fields and playgrounds. Ahok said the reason was because the city still lacked the places to meet its children's recreational needs.
"Children living in urban areas are so unfortunate, they have to pay to play," said Ahok in his speech at the commemoration of the National Children's Day event at Dunia Fantasi amusement park in Ancol, North Jakarta on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
He added the city administration would also acquire land plots in residential areasto be turned into active parks: parks that provide sports facilities such as badminton courts or outdoor gym equipment.
Ahok said he had also called on the Jakarta Social Agency to calculate the number of street urchins in the capital, whom he planned to enroll at schools.
Ahok said the data would also come in handy to prevent crimes related to child abuse as the city administration could hardly deal with the influx of newcomers to the capital.
LINDA HAIRANI
