JAKARTA \u2013 As Eid approaches, numerous pavements across Jakarta have\nagain become filled with street dwellers. They consist of beggars, waste\ncollectors, and groups often referred to as \u201ccart people\u201d, though not\nall actually carry carts. This phenomenon is visible along several\nstreets in South Jakarta. Pavements, which should be designated for\npedestrians, are gradually being repurposed as resting places,\nincome-generating sites, and temporary shelters for economically\nmarginalised residents.<\/p>\n
A middle-aged woman sits cross-legged on yellow tactile paving. Her\nhair is simply tied with an orange clip. She wears a faded pink shirt\nand worn jeans. Her gaze occasionally turns towards the heavy traffic\npassing in front of her. Her face appears tired, as if taking a break\nfrom the long routine of traversing the capital\u2019s streets.<\/p>\n
Beside her, a green wooden cart is parked on the pavement edge. The\ncart is filled with neatly stacked cardboard boxes, large white sacks\ncontaining plastic bottles, and several bags hanging from its sides. The\ncart is not merely a transport tool, but a livelihood. Not far from this\nlocation, similar scenes appear at several other points.<\/p>\n
A man in a green shirt appears to sleep under a tree with basic\nbedding. Nearby, several cats lie down casually. The pavement is\nactually equipped with guidance lanes for people with disabilities.\nHowever, this public space has now also become a resting place for\nresidents without homes.<\/p>\n
The contrast is striking. On one side, vehicles pass quickly towards\noffice areas and business centres. On the other, some residents must sit\non the roadside simply to survive.<\/p>\n
The woman sitting beside the scrap cart introduces herself as Idah\n(52). Idah is a native of East Jakarta. She says she no longer has a\nhome after her parents died.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I have to earn my own living with my husband,\u201d she says when met\nby Kompas.com.<\/p>\n
To survive, Idah works as a waste collector. She gathers cardboard,\nplastic bottles, and used cans from various street corners. When it\nrains, she tries her luck by selling raincoats to motorcyclists, with\nthe money intended to buy snacks or food for breaking the fast.<\/p>\n
Her income is uncertain. Under normal conditions, she can only earn\naround Rp 70,000 from selling used items. She uses this money for her\nand her husband\u2019s daily needs. For bathing, she usually uses public\ntoilet facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI bathe at the public toilet at Pasar Jembatan Merah,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Living on the street, according to Idah, is never truly safe. She\nmust always be wary of various risks. She has also experienced\nenforcement operations by authorities. On one occasion, the cart she\nused to transport scrap materials was confiscated.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy cart was taken. To get it back, I have to pay around Rp 1\nmillion,\u201d says Idah.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes I receive zakat al-Fitr or food,\u201d she adds.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/portrait-of-pavements-in-south-jakarta-ahead-of-eid-filled-with-seasonal-street-dwellers-hoping-for-assistance-1773068464", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }