Floods in Jakarta

Floods in Jakarta

From Republika

I am only what metropolitan people call an orang udik (humble
villager), but when I saw the reports, both in the printed and
electronic media, about floods in Jakarta, the capital of this
republic, I was deeply touched.

Believe it or not, but Jakarta, which is the seat of
government, was flooded. It's sad. But why the reports about
flooding? Why is it only recently have I heard about floods in
Jakarta? Wasn't there any flooding before?

The reports we usually read about Jakarta, with pride, are
about its fabulous development. The administration is building
luxury housing complexes, condominiums, supermarkets, overpasses,
toll roads -- in great numbers too. The sea is being reclaimed,
the kampong people are displaced from their homes, and buildings
are torn down to make way for new ones.

Naturally, as an orang udik I have this expectation: To hear
only good news about Jakarta, a grand and posh city, not one
ravaged by floods like it is now.

The reality is different from my wish. Jakarta is the center
of the nation's thinkers, including those who devise the schemes
for the high-rise buildings, the city and housing planners, as
well as politicians. How come, with all the thinkers, such a
catastrophe befell the city? There must be something wrong with
the execution of the development plan.

Come to think of it, if Jakarta is flooded, Surabaya must have
had the same problem. Surabaya used to have the same problem, but
not as severe as Jakarta. My question is, are all the other orang
udik still wishing to flock to Jakarta to find work? Are they
ready to face all the floods and traffic problems?

I am concerned for all you Jakartans.

SOEHARTO

Surabaya