'Everyone lives in the shadow of crime'

'Everyone lives in the shadow of crime'

Jakarta, which turns 476 years old on Sunday, is a busy
metropolis with many problems -- some of which people take for
granted. The Jakarta Post interviewed some city residents about
their concerns regarding the city and how they could contribute
to its betterment.

Suharyanto, 41, is manager at a supermarket in West Jakarta.
He is a neighborhood chief in Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta,
where he lives with his wife and son:

Everyone in the city always feels unsafe and lives in the
shadow of crime.

I believe that the complicated social problems have caused the
growing number of street crimes.

The weak mentality of the police and other law enforcers has
only worsened the situation.

We can see how bribery rules the verdicts at court. The
police, prosecutors and judges are corrupt and they make the
situation chronic.

I feel concerned about this alarming condition. Therefore, as
a neighborhood unit chief I try to raise the people's awareness
to safeguard their environment and remain on the alert against
criminals. That's the only contribution I can make now.

Purnama Sari, 21, is a model and soap opera actress who
resides in Karet, South Jakarta:

I think one of the most serious problems facing the city is
how to keep it clean and orderly.

Jakarta has an image as a dirty city because most residents
litter carelessly.

Worse still, the punishment for littering is never effectively
implemented. The city government fails to show the concrete
results of their policy, so it only sparks public distrust.

The city public sanitary agency is only concerned with the
main thoroughfares and do not care about other places, while the
people lack awareness and a sense of belonging to the city. This
makes me really sad.

I would rather care for my environment myself. I feel guilty
every time I litter carelessly.

Dradjad, 32, works at a private company in Central Jakarta. He
lives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

The city has many complicated problems and all need to be
handled urgently. But the most worrisome of all is drug abuse
among the youngsters.

I'm really upset about this. I cannot imagine what will happen
to the younger generation in the future.

Drug dealers are like merciless killers that trouble and kill
many people slowly. I hate to see these drug dealers who are
still alive and freely roaming the city, preying upon new victims
every day. They are all evil.

On the other hand, I realize that it's almost impossible to
stop drug trafficking as most law enforcers are not too bright.
They could easily be bribed to protect the dealers.

I worry about this a lot, as I have a little daughter who will
someday grow up. The only thing I can do is to bring her up well
so she won't take any drugs.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.