The poor fear public order officers<\/p>\n
Poverty has become one of the most important issues for the city
\nadministration, with the number of Jakartans living below the
\npoverty line having continued to increase since the economic
\ncrisis first struck in mid-1997. While the government and the
\ncity administration have introduced various poverty alleviation
\nprograms over the years, these programs have had little impact on
\nthe problem. Observers attribute this failure to the
\nadministration's ignorance of the root causes of poverty. What do
\nJakartans have to say about the issue?<\/p>\n
Erna, 28, a Jakarta-born housewife with one child. She lives
\non the banks of the Krukut River in Tambora subdistrict, West
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Poverty is a reality that I have been used to since my
\nchildhood. You can see for yourself my shabby and small house,
\nwhere I live with my husband and child.<\/p>\n
I know the neighborhood is not good for my daughter but I have
\nno other choice. I can't afford to rent a bigger house in a
\nbetter neighborhood with my husband's income of only Rp 150,000
\n(US$17.20) a week.<\/p>\n
I always feel insecure. Floods can come at anytime and destroy
\nmy house. And the city's public order officers are another
\nthreat, because they can raid us at anytime.<\/p>\n
Choice and opportunity in life are limited for poor people
\nlike me. Nobody wants to be poor, but it's the reality and I have
\nto survive.\"<\/p>\n
Ihsan Rauf Praja, 40, a lawyer who lives in Kebon Bawang,
\nTanjung Priok, North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"You can find poor people living in nearly all corners of the
\ncity, as there have been no comprehensive efforts by the
\nadministration to improve their welfare since the crisis hit the
\ncountry in 1997.<\/p>\n
There is no attention paid to the homeless. There's no room
\nfor informal businesses run by people like street vendors. The
\nspace where they are allowed to work is very limited. They are
\nforced to close up their businesses without any other
\nopportunities.<\/p>\n
The public order officers always treat them as if they have no
\nright to live in the capital.<\/p>\n
I think non-governmental organization activists must speak
\nlouder to demand the administration take action to help the
\npoor.\"<\/p>\n
Mawar Hutabarat, a 33-year-old housewife and mother of three.
\nShe has lived in Jakarta for 13 years and is a social worker.<\/p>\n
\"Poverty is not a new issue in the city. In fact, the number
\nof poor increases every day. Ironically, the administration
\nhas failed to deal with the poor with any compassion.<\/p>\n
The poor are considered non-residents, which gives the
\nadministration an excuse to evict them. This approach, which
\ndrains a lot of money from the city budget, is useless. The
\nadministration must face the fact that there are poor people
\nliving in the city. It must also treat them like other citizens.
\nIf they were given space to live, the poor would be able to
\nmanage their lives.\"<\/p>\n
F.X. Sarmidi, 24, works at a kindergarten. He moved from
\nYogyakarta three years ago to try his luck in Tangerang.<\/p>\n
\"I think everyone has to fight in their lives, even if they
\nare living in poverty. However, it is easier said than done.<\/p>\n
As a common person from the lower class, I don't think I am
\nvery poor. I can afford meals and clothes, and even rent a small
\nroom with my salary, which is the regional minimum wage. I thank
\nGod for His blessings that I am able to live a simple but lucky
\nlife.<\/p>\n
I just hope the government and the rich will be more willing
\nto pay more attention and lend a hand to the poor. Otherwise,
\nIndonesia will never be a prosperous country.\" -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-poor-fear-public-order-officers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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