'How could we survive if Jakarta bans migrants?
Governor Sutiyoso has announced his intention to close the city to low-income migrants in a bid to curb overcrowding. The Jakarta Post spoke to some of those affected in regards their reactions to the plan.
Brata, 25, is a pushcart vendor who has sold fruit on Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, for many years. He lives near Jl. AM Sangaji, Central Jakarta, while his wife and only son live in Cirebon, West Jakarta:
What kind of country is this? It's ridiculous if this policy is imposed upon us, the low-income people.
How could we survive if the city is closed to poor migrants or temporary workers in the near future? I'm just afraid that the regulation will enrage many low-income people and consequently spark riots.
So far, we have had to endure raids conducted by the City Public Order officers. What's next to torture the poor people?
The government never knows how hard it is just to make Rp 1,000 in my village. I have a family, not just for the short term but forever, and it's my responsibility to support them. But what am I supposed to do next if the city bans migrants?
Would you please tell Megawati Soekarnoputri that low-income people are not criminals? We are human, like Mrs. President herself, and only want to survive.
Sumadi, 45, is a pushcart vendor who sells meatball soup in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta. He resides in Pejompongan with fellow vendors, while his wife and three children live in Sukoharjo, Central Java:
I disagree with the planned policy. Poor people like me don't have any idea how to get by in our lives here (if the policy is implemented).
I realize that, in a way, I'm in the wrong for failing to obtain an ID card after staying here for many years, but I don't have enough money to get the ID. I'm afraid that the policy will threaten my existence in the immediate future.
I'm sure that most of the migrants who want to come to Jakarta are the needy. They come here for one thing, to get a job so they can earn money.
The policy upsets me especially when I think about my daughter, who will soon finish high school. I wonder whether or not I will advise her to get a job in the city.
On the other hand, I am aware that my village is not the right place to earn money. Perhaps I will suggest to her to work as a shop attendant or a factory worker wherever she wants.
Marzuki, 34, is a ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Slipi, West Jakarta, and comes from Yogyakarta originally. He lives in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta, with his wife and two children:
The migration policy will be hard to implement. It will not be very easy to ban migrants from entering the city.
It will take a long period of preparation to enforce the regulation. I'm of the opinion that every region needs to be better developed, and that if regional development is improved, local residents will be reluctant to head for the city to make a living.
I think it's normal for migrants to come to Jakarta. They just try to make a living. Jakarta is the capital and every citizen has a right to come to the city.
In addition, life in the village is very tough and villagers face a hard life every day. Are they wrong to try their luck in the city?
I guess the policy will be shown to be unrealistic if we take a look at small examples from daily life. Who do you think will be housemaids in the high-income homes of Jakarta? The rich people won't, I'm sure.
-- Leo Wahyudi S