City launches migrant operations

City launches migrant operations

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Despite criticism, the Jakarta city administration has
officially launched an operation against illegal migrants in an
effort to curb urbanization.

Thamrin Ekadjati, an assistant to the city secretary, said
that the raids against the illegal migrants would be conducted in
slum areas, such as on the Penjaringan riverbanks and in East
Ancol, North Jakarta and Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta.

"There will be action taken against illegal migrants. But it
doesn't meant that Jakarta is a closed city," Thamrin told 160
officers at a ceremony at the National Monument park on Thursday.

The officers would conduct an education program, such as
distributing brochures on the importance of identification, until
Saturday before conducting the raids next week.

The officers would hand out the brochures to newcomers in
public places in the city's five mayoralties, including Gambir
Railway station and the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, he
said.

Newcomers, who wanted to live here and get official
identification should have several documents, including housing
and job guarantees, Thamrin said.

According to Bylaw No. 1/1996 on population, newcomers who
have stayed more than 14 days should have identification or be
liable to a maximum sentence of three month in jail or a Rp 5
million (US$500) fine.

The administration receives Rp 1.75 billion annually from
identity card registration and renewal.

Activists have criticized the planned raids against migrants
as a violation of a person's right to unrestricted travel.

About 250,000 new migrants arrive in Jakarta each year, mainly
after Idul Fitri celebrations.