'Everyone lives in the shadow of crime'<\/p>\n
Jakarta, which turns 476 years old on Sunday, is a busy
\nmetropolis with many problems -- some of which people take for
\ngranted. The Jakarta Post interviewed some city residents about
\ntheir concerns regarding the city and how they could contribute
\nto its betterment.<\/p>\n
Suharyanto, 41, is manager at a supermarket in West Jakarta.
\nHe is a neighborhood chief in Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta,
\nwhere he lives with his wife and son:<\/p>\n
Everyone in the city always feels unsafe and lives in the
\nshadow of crime.<\/p>\n
I believe that the complicated social problems have caused the
\ngrowing number of street crimes.<\/p>\n
The weak mentality of the police and other law enforcers has
\nonly worsened the situation.<\/p>\n
We can see how bribery rules the verdicts at court. The
\npolice, prosecutors and judges are corrupt and they make the
\nsituation chronic.<\/p>\n
I feel concerned about this alarming condition. Therefore, as
\na neighborhood unit chief I try to raise the people's awareness
\nto safeguard their environment and remain on the alert against
\ncriminals. That's the only contribution I can make now.<\/p>\n
Purnama Sari, 21, is a model and soap opera actress who
\nresides in Karet, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I think one of the most serious problems facing the city is
\nhow to keep it clean and orderly.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has an image as a dirty city because most residents
\nlitter carelessly.<\/p>\n
Worse still, the punishment for littering is never effectively
\nimplemented. The city government fails to show the concrete
\nresults of their policy, so it only sparks public distrust.<\/p>\n
The city public sanitary agency is only concerned with the
\nmain thoroughfares and do not care about other places, while the
\npeople lack awareness and a sense of belonging to the city. This
\nmakes me really sad.<\/p>\n
I would rather care for my environment myself. I feel guilty
\nevery time I litter carelessly.<\/p>\n
Dradjad, 32, works at a private company in Central Jakarta. He
\nlives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:<\/p>\n
The city has many complicated problems and all need to be
\nhandled urgently. But the most worrisome of all is drug abuse
\namong the youngsters.<\/p>\n
I'm really upset about this. I cannot imagine what will happen
\nto the younger generation in the future.<\/p>\n
Drug dealers are like merciless killers that trouble and kill
\nmany people slowly. I hate to see these drug dealers who are
\nstill alive and freely roaming the city, preying upon new victims
\nevery day. They are all evil.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I realize that it's almost impossible to
\nstop drug trafficking as most law enforcers are not too bright.
\nThey could easily be bribed to protect the dealers.<\/p>\n
I worry about this a lot, as I have a little daughter who will
\nsomeday grow up. The only thing I can do is to bring her up well
\nso she won't take any drugs.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/everyone-lives-in-the-shadow-of-crime-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }