Crackdown on illegal migrants to continue<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday the
\ncity would continue raids to curb the number of newcomers to
\nJakarta during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
\"We will continue the operation even though it is Ramadhan,\"
\nSurjadi said after inaugurating a pilot handicraft industry
\nproject at City Hall.<\/p>\n
The City Population Office estimates 3.5 million Jakartans go
\nto their hometowns every year for Idul Fitri, and return with
\n300,000 relatives and friends looking for work.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Deputy Governor R.S. Museno predicted the number of
\nnewcomers this year would rise or at least be similar to last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Last year, the city recorded about 300,000 newcomers after
\nIdul Fitri, he said.<\/p>\n
He said newcomers usually took advantage of the religious
\nevent and many ended up as street vendors, beggars or vagabonds.<\/p>\n
He said illegal residents could be found on street
\nintersections, in mosques, cemeteries and other public places.<\/p>\n
\"Fortunately, not all newcomers remain in the city after the
\nfasting month and Idul Fitri. Some return to their hometowns,\"
\nMuseno said.<\/p>\n
But it was difficult to curb the influx, he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's impossible to drive them away just like that from the
\ncity if we don't find them violating regulations,\" Museno said.<\/p>\n
If illegal residents violated regulations, like not having
\nproper identification, they would be sent back to their
\nhometowns, he said.<\/p>\n
In 1993, almost 315,000 newcomers entered Jakarta. However,
\nthe City Population Office has never provided accurate records on
\nhow many settled in Jakarta and how many went home.<\/p>\n
Surjadi said recently the only way to curb the influx was by
\nenforcing the provincial decree on population.<\/p>\n
The decree stipulates newcomers must have documents like
\nletters guaranteeing employment and accommodation in Jakarta.
\nWithout such documents newcomers are not allowed to live in
\nJakarta which already has nine million people.<\/p>\n
People with the correct documents can get temporary
\nresidential identification cards which are valid for six months.
\nThey can then get permanent Jakarta identification cards.<\/p>\n
The city has issued about 75,000 new identification cards for
\nnewcomers each year since 1989.<\/p>\n
Surjadi said most newcomers were unskilled and found it hard
\nto survive in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
City Public Order Office data showed last year there were 259
\nlegal sites for the 9,356 vendors with valid Jakarta citizenship
\ncards. The office estimated there were 40,956 illegal vendors.
\nAmong the illegal vendors 20,163 had valid identification cards
\nbut operated at illegal sites like on sidewalks. (ste\/02)<\/p>",
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