'Banning migrants may increase crime rate'<\/p>\n
Jakarta is a magnet for many people from outside the city who
\ncome to try their luck in the capital. Overwhelmed with the
\ninflux of migrants, which could reach almost 250,000 a year,
\nGovernor Sutiyoso announced his plan last month to curb the flow
\nby closing the city to poor, unskilled migrants. City residents
\nshared their view with The Jakarta Post:<\/p>\n
Aris, 22, is looking for a job, and is staying temporarily at
\na mosque in South Jakarta. Originally from Purworejo, Central
\nJava, he makes money as a jockey for the three-in-one restricted
\nzone (where cars must have at least three passengers during peak
\nhours):<\/p>\n
I completely disagree with the new policy planned by the
\ngovernor. It will only negatively affect the poor people who
\nintend to come to the city to work, by cutting down their chances
\nof survival.<\/p>\n
I'm sure that everyone coming to Jakarta has a dream. If
\nmigrants are prohibited from entering the city, they will be
\ndisappointed and restricted, conditions which may force them to
\ncommit crimes in order to survive.<\/p>\n
I myself experienced the same thing when City Public Order
\nofficers evicted me last year when I tried to make money as a Pak
\nOgah (a man who regulates traffic in exchange for tips from
\nmotorists). They infuriated me. I stabbed one of them in the
\nstomach and ran away. I have learned that hunger can drive the
\nneedy to irrational actions, as was the case with me.<\/p>\n
Migrants come to the city to get a job and, of course, they
\ndon't have much money. I don't think the government will help
\nprovide good jobs even if the policy is implemented.<\/p>\n
I hope the government can be more sensible in planning this
\npolicy, because it will cause anarchy in the city. Frankly,
\nadding frustration upon frustration for unemployed people like
\nmyself creates potential for crime.<\/p>\n
Taryono, 49, is a street vendor selling cigarettes and soft
\ndrinks in Blok M, South Jakarta. He resides on Jl. Bangka, South
\nJakarta, while his wife and five children live in Slawi, Central
\nJava:<\/p>\n
I disagree with the policy because it is against basic human
\nrights. Everyone knows that food and money are the only factors
\nthat drive migrants to come to the city.<\/p>\n
Normally a vendor will migrate to an area which has many
\ncustomers. Jakarta is such a place, with many potential
\ncustomers.<\/p>\n
It's impossible to make a living if a vendor stays in an
\nisolated area with limited customers. In my region there are
\nseveral tourist spots, but I can't make much money as visitors
\nare few.<\/p>\n
In my village, if I grow rice, I would only be able to make Rp
\n300,000 after waiting three long months for the harvest. In
\ncomparison, I can make an average of Rp 400,000 every month in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The state doesn't ban anyone from going abroad, but why can
\nthe city administration ban Indonesian citizens from entering
\ntheir capital city? Doesn't it sound strange?<\/p>\n
Amin, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver who resides in
\nPalmerah, West Jakarta, with his wife and two children. He is a
\nnative Jakartan:<\/p>\n
I agree with the policy to curb migration to the city. The
\ncity has become overcrowded with migrants. Without proper
\nregulations, the city population will only increase and become
\nuncontrollable. It will surely worsen the already awful traffic
\ncongestion and have a negative social impact.<\/p>\n
As a native Jakartan, I feel upset about the presence of
\nmigrants here, as they only increase competition in the struggle
\nto survive. It is regrettable that many migrants are unskilled
\nand barely know what to do in Jakarta, because this burdens the
\ncity residents. I can't deny that many native Jakartans have
\nbecome unemployed because they have lost their will to fight.<\/p>\n
Announcing the planned policy at least makes every city
\nresident aware that the city has become overcrowded. The question
\nis, will it (the policy) be implemented seriously and quickly?<\/p>\n
Dina is a salesgirl at the Sarinah Department Store on Jl. MH
\nThamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Pasar Minggu, South
\nJakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
I disagree with the policy against migration. What right does
\nthe city administration have to prevent migrants from entering
\nthe city? It's against human rights, and the policy implies that
\nno one is allowed to determine their own lives. How terrible!<\/p>\n
I think an individual's life has nothing to do with population
\ndensity, in case the ban is based on a fear of the city being
\novercrowded. I don't feel that the migrants here make the city
\ncrowded. Even if the city is larger and there are less people,
\nthis would not necessarily improve the people's welfare.<\/p>\n
I think the success of individuals depends on their own
\ndestiny, not the size of the population.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/banning-migrants-may-increase-crime-rate-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }