Cry of the poor<\/p>\n
From Warta Kota<\/p>\n
August is the month of freedom for people all over Indonesia.
\nTo commemorate Independence Day, people in the country held
\nvarious contests and unfurled red-and-white flags along the
\nalleys where they live. Many people participated in contests,
\ngrabbing a victory and maintaining sportsmanship and togetherness
\namong themselves. People understand that freedom is the substance
\nto begin a nation's life and they interpret it symbolically with
\nfun games in which they can take a part.<\/p>\n
The new administration has just been established with the
\nsupport of millions of people at the grassroot level, people who
\nhave been living in poverty for decades. With nearly insensible
\npatience, people keep waiting for a government that can listen to
\ntheir heartfelt cry and feel their hardships in life.<\/p>\n
But, what has happened? The people's dream has been shattered
\nbecause of the acts taken by security and order personnel of the
\nJakarta regional administration, putting an end to a variety of
\neconomic activities carried out by poor people earning a living
\nas sidewalk vendors, pedicab drivers, street vendors, buskers and
\nthe like. The city administration has beaten a drum of war
\nagainst ordinary people who wish to make a living legally and
\nsweat over a rightful job, an activity that is free from
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
Security forces with scores of trucks containing hundreds of
\npublic order officers, the police and the military, have trampled
\nupon ordinary people's rights in the economic, social and
\ncultural spheres, firing tear gas and showering rude words upon
\npoor people.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta regional administration has used up the city
\nbudget of Rp 102 billion to execute such acts of demolition,
\nfunds that should have been spent on creating job opportunities,
\nfacilitating the economic activities of ordinary people to get
\nthem through the prolonged multifaceted crisis. It has also spent
\nRp 5 billion on the expansion of the Kedoya housing building, a
\njail for the scavengers, tramps and sex workers they apprehend.<\/p>\n
Where should such people go? How can they survive? Allow me to
\ncall on President Megawati, the governor of Jakarta, the leaders
\nof the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, all political and
\nbureaucratic figures to listen to the cry of these ordinary
\npeople. Stop despotism. If the relevant parties pay no heed to
\nthis matter, it means that such parties are actually encouraging
\na social revolution, something that this nation might have to pay
\nfor very dearly.<\/p>\n
WARDAH HAFIDZ<\/p>\n
Coordinator of Urban Poor Consortium<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cry-of-the-poor-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }