City attempts to curb migrants

JAKARTA (JP): In a desperate attempt to curb new migrants to Jakarta the city administration is repeating earlier practices of trying to send back relatives and friends accompanying Jakartans returning from the holidays.

Deputy governor for government affairs Abdul Kahfi predicts 200,000 migrants will arrive in Jakarta which he said would be an extra "burden" for the metropolis of 8.3 million people, particularly those who are jobless.

After the previous Idul Fitri holiday in January this year data revealed that 2.159 million joined the exodus while 2.3 returned to Jakarta.

Head of the city's Control Center for Social Disturbances Raya Siahaan said on Friday that a week-long inspection would start on Saturday involving officials from the city's Population Agency, Public Order office and local neighborhood authorities across the capital.

An official acknowledged that the annual policy has not been able to show much result.

The random inspections in public places such as bus terminals and railway stations only aims at a "psychological effect", city spokesman Muhayat told The Jakarta Post, to deter potential jobless and homeless new residents. "There is no strong legal basis against people coming to Jakarta," he said.

Those found without Jakarta documents would be asked to return with transportation fees provided by the city.

The operation does not guarantee people will return to their home towns, Muhayat said. "Legally they could be arrested by public order officials only for lacking Jakarta identity cards and fined Rp 50,000," he said.

Earlier Governor Sutiyoso had urged Jakartans going home for the religious holidays not to bring friends and relatives back with them, saying there would be more job opportunities in the regions with the upcoming regional autonomy.

The new laws become effective next month but observers are divided between implementing it immediately and postponing it, given the anticipated problems due to lack of preparation.

"The City Public Order officer will arrest you if you are homeless, so don't come here," Sutiyoso said last week.

Two million people were recorded to have joined the annual exodus this year, according to Abdul Kahfi. (07)