'People only think about money, and not others'<\/p>\n
Many lavish festivities are underway to mark the 476th
\nanniversary of Jakarta, but real life is far removed from the
\nglamor, as there are so many problems facing the city and its
\nresidents. Some care about them, while others, especially the
\npoor, complain about their hard lives and the lack of attention
\nfrom city officials, as they told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Anastasia, 33, works for a private company in Kemang, South
\nJakarta. She resides in Pejaten, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I'm really upset about the fact that most city residents are
\nso busy making money that they don't care about each other.<\/p>\n
To some extent, I realize that the competition to survive is
\nso tight that people have no time to interact with others.<\/p>\n
I think this is at the root of all problems in Jakarta, not to
\nmention that almost all city leaders are questionable. They don't
\nside with the people, as they only think about their own power
\nand interests.<\/p>\n
As for me, I try to care about my neighbors, who are mostly
\nnative Jakartans, and have organized a study group for students.
\nIt's like a free English course for them. I also try to give
\nbooks to children in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Oppie, 29, works at a private company in South Jakarta. She
\nlives in Cawang, East Jakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
The transportation problems are so terrible. It's mostly
\nprivate cars that clog the roads across the capital nowadays.<\/p>\n
Everyone struggles to get to their destination as quickly as
\npossible. Worse still, many motorcycles completely ignore traffic
\nregulations and even go the wrong way down one-way streets just
\nto make a shortcut.<\/p>\n
To tell the truth, I sometimes do the same, especially during
\nrush hours to get to the office on time.<\/p>\n
I don't really have any other choice. If I want to avoid the
\ntraffic congestion, I could leave earlier in the morning but if I
\ndo, I will be sleepy the whole day.<\/p>\n
The lack of public awareness about traffic rules and
\nregulations, the inadequacy of police and traffic officers and
\nthe uncontrollable increase of the number of vehicles all
\ncompound the problems.<\/p>\n
I want to improve my discipline by complying with the traffic
\nregulations. That's the most I can do now.<\/p>\n
Kesrek, 40, is a sidewalk vendor who sells soft drinks on Jl.
\nPintu Besar, West Jakarta. He lives in Balokan, North Jakarta,
\nwith his two children:<\/p>\n
I have been struggling in the city since I ran away from an
\norphanage in Central Java 32 years ago. My life hasn't been very
\nkind to me so far.<\/p>\n
It is completely true that Jakarta is a city of misfortune and
\nviolence. The only place I haven't been is prison.<\/p>\n
I used to live in a railway station and train cars for years.
\nMy worst job ever was collecting cigarette butts. That's my most
\nunforgettable experience in the city.<\/p>\n
Even worse, I wasted my earnings on gambling and drinking with
\nmy mates, who were mostly riffraff.<\/p>\n
Years have gone by, but my life has not gotten better -- as
\nyou can see, I'm just selling soft drinks now. I feel stuck in my
\nlife as sidewalk vendor.<\/p>\n
Now the situation in the city is even worse than before. Every
\nday is the same, just fighting hard to survive another day.<\/p>\n
The city anniversary and its celebration is only a waste of
\npeople's money. The festivities can only be enjoyed by the rich
\nand the middle class. How happy the rich are!<\/p>\n
Johan, 59, owns a newsstand at Kota railway station, West
\nJakarta. He lives in Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, with his wife and
\nthree children:<\/p>\n
Jakarta is never friendly to migrants like me. But I'm lucky
\nto have the chance to run this business after having been without
\na job for years.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of people who are dying of starvation. Why
\ndon't the officials and the governor spend money to help feed
\nthem, instead of pouring it into the festivities to celebrate the
\ncity's anniversary?<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/people-only-think-about-money-and-not-others-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }