Fauzi refreshes call against migrants

JAKARTA: Vice Governor Fauzi Bowo reiterated the city administration's call for people, who will celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns, not to bring anyone to the city upon their return here, unless the newcomers have a job and a place to stay.

He said that the uncontrollable flow of migrants to the city had caused various urban problems. Last year alone, travelers who returned from the annual exodus brought with them about 250,000 people, most of whom were mostly unskilled young people.

Fauzi was speaking at the Monas park compound on Thursday in front of approximately 470 officers assigned to hold public campaigns for the travelers at bus terminals and train stations in the capital.

The officers were drawn from various agencies, including the public order agency, the social affairs agency and the transportation agency.

In an effort to control the flow of migrants, the city administration is drafting a controversial bylaw to ban poor, unskilled migrants from entering the capital.--JP