'How could we survive if Jakarta bans migrants?<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso has announced his intention to close the city
\nto low-income migrants in a bid to curb overcrowding. The Jakarta
\nPost spoke to some of those affected in regards their reactions
\nto the plan.<\/p>\n
Brata, 25, is a pushcart vendor who has sold fruit on Jl. MH
\nThamrin, Central Jakarta, for many years. He lives near Jl. AM
\nSangaji, Central Jakarta, while his wife and only son live in
\nCirebon, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
What kind of country is this? It's ridiculous if this policy
\nis imposed upon us, the low-income people.<\/p>\n
How could we survive if the city is closed to poor migrants or
\ntemporary workers in the near future? I'm just afraid that the
\nregulation will enrage many low-income people and consequently
\nspark riots.<\/p>\n
So far, we have had to endure raids conducted by the City
\nPublic Order officers. What's next to torture the poor people?<\/p>\n
The government never knows how hard it is just to make Rp
\n1,000 in my village. I have a family, not just for the short term
\nbut forever, and it's my responsibility to support them. But what
\nam I supposed to do next if the city bans migrants?<\/p>\n
Would you please tell Megawati Soekarnoputri that low-income
\npeople are not criminals? We are human, like Mrs. President
\nherself, and only want to survive.<\/p>\n
Sumadi, 45, is a pushcart vendor who sells meatball soup in
\nPejompongan, Central Jakarta. He resides in Pejompongan with
\nfellow vendors, while his wife and three children live in
\nSukoharjo, Central Java:<\/p>\n
I disagree with the planned policy. Poor people like me don't
\nhave any idea how to get by in our lives here (if the policy is
\nimplemented).<\/p>\n
I realize that, in a way, I'm in the wrong for failing to
\nobtain an ID card after staying here for many years, but I don't
\nhave enough money to get the ID. I'm afraid that the policy will
\nthreaten my existence in the immediate future.<\/p>\n
I'm sure that most of the migrants who want to come to Jakarta
\nare the needy. They come here for one thing, to get a job so they
\ncan earn money.<\/p>\n
The policy upsets me especially when I think about my
\ndaughter, who will soon finish high school. I wonder whether or
\nnot I will advise her to get a job in the city.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I am aware that my village is not the right
\nplace to earn money. Perhaps I will suggest to her to work as a
\nshop attendant or a factory worker wherever she wants.<\/p>\n
Marzuki, 34, is a ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Slipi, West
\nJakarta, and comes from Yogyakarta originally. He lives in
\nKemanggisan, West Jakarta, with his wife and two children:<\/p>\n
The migration policy will be hard to implement. It will not be
\nvery easy to ban migrants from entering the city.<\/p>\n
It will take a long period of preparation to enforce the
\nregulation. I'm of the opinion that every region needs to be
\nbetter developed, and that if regional development is improved,
\nlocal residents will be reluctant to head for the city to make a
\nliving.<\/p>\n
I think it's normal for migrants to come to Jakarta. They just
\ntry to make a living. Jakarta is the capital and every citizen
\nhas a right to come to the city.<\/p>\n
In addition, life in the village is very tough and villagers
\nface a hard life every day. Are they wrong to try their luck in
\nthe city?<\/p>\n
I guess the policy will be shown to be unrealistic if we take
\na look at small examples from daily life. Who do you think will
\nbe housemaids in the high-income homes of Jakarta? The rich
\npeople won't, I'm sure.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/how-could-we-survive-if-jakarta-bans-migrants-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }