Handling of newcomers under scrutiny

JAKARTA (JP): City efforts to prevent "undesirable" workers from entering the capital during the annual post-Idul Fitri influx has drawn mixed reactions from councilors and social experts.

City councilors hailed the operation yesterday saying that it was effective in deterring newcomers from entering the capital and aggravating unemployment and population problems.

Sociologists believed the operation infringed on people's rights.

Councilor Achmad Suaidy, head of the United Development Party faction, said yesterday the operation should be ongoing rather than only after Idul Fitri.

"This kind of operation is the most effective way to prevent newcomers without proper skills from entering Jakarta because there is no easy way to force them out of the city," he said.

Replying as to why it was effective, he said: "Because it will scare them away. It will at least create a shocking psychological effect. Jakarta is no dream city. It's a hard and fierce city. So don't come here."

He said the city needed to control the population growth and the unemployment problem stemming from the economic crisis.

"We have been hit hard by the monetary crisis. Unemployment is affecting people everywhere. Imagine if new, unskilled, illegal residents came here in throngs. Those people are desperate and are trying to make a living. These kind of crowds could create social unrest," Suaidy said.

He said the central government would create more labor- intensive projects in rural areas throughout the country to ease unemployment in villages. "So they don't have to come here," he added.

The city reiterated recently that officials would stop "suspicious" and unwanted travelers from entering the capital.

Law enforcement officers have been deployed at bus terminals and railway stations throughout the city to turn back people who have no employment or no relatives here.

So far, some 155 people in the past three days have been briefly detained by officers after being unable to present resident identification cards.

Many have been forced to return to their hometowns.

Meanwhile, Rusjdi Hamka, another councilor, shared his colleague's opinion, saying the approach might be seen as a little rough, but effective.

"Whose going to be responsible for the newcomers? Us? It's impossible. Therefore, as long as officers ask them to leave without forcing them harshly or without violating the rules, I say the crackdown is one the best possible ways to cope with the population problem," Hamka said.

Sociologists, however, called the operation a waste of time.

The real problem, they said, was an unequal income distribution in society.

Sardjono Djatiman, a noted sociologist from the University of Indonesia, said yesterday the crackdown would only make things worse.

"I think it's a violation of human rights. Jakarta is open to anyone. It belongs to all people in this country. We must remember that Jakarta has, for decades, been pampered by the fruits of development.

"If the government managed to spread the fruits of development equally, the problem could be solved properly."

He said even though Jakarta had been hit by the monetary crisis, people could still find jobs here.

"Opportunities are wide open here. What is left for them in the villages?" he said.

Sociologist Paulus Wirutomo shared Sardjono's opinion.

He urged the government to implement labor-intensive projects in certain areas, particularly those that are well known as sources of labor for the capital.

"If the programs focus on the agriculture, husbandry and poultry sectors it could work well," he said. "People would no longer desire to find jobs in Jakarta."

The post-Idul Fitri holiday influx is expected to peak Friday.

Some 170,000 people were expected to enter the city yesterday. (edt)