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