'I have a conscience despite my hard life'

People are bracing themselves for tough times ahead following the government's decision to increase fuel prices and electricity and phone rates. The police predict that the crime rate may rise as people could be forced to commit crimes in order to survive. The Jakarta Post interviewed some people about the issue.

Dudung, 45, is a scavenger who resides in Tanah Sereal, West Jakarta. He is divorced and has been collecting recyclables for more than four years:

I don't like the government for increasing all the prices, but then again, I don't care about the government.

I'm only concerned about myself because life is so hard that I can't think about anything else.

I have to work hard every day to collect a kilogram of plastic waste, which will give me Rp 7,500. That's what I usually earn in one day.

I just eat once a day if I have enough money to buy a meal. Sometimes I go to the Jakarta Police Headquarters to get a package of rice from a generous policeman who doesn't want to eat his meal.

I will never resort to crime no matter how bad the situation gets. It's better for me to beg for something to eat or drink or just not eat anything at all for the whole day.

I still have a heart despite leading a hard life.

Boby, 27, has been a parking attendant in Melawai, South Jakarta since 1983. He lives in Kota Bambu, West Jakarta with his parents and five siblings:

This year I will try to be a good person because I have been bad in the past. I have to learn to be patient and not resort to violence to earn money as I have in the past.

I know that it is going to be tough for me, particularly during the economic slump. But I hope I can control myself so I don't do terrible things, such as stealing or extortion.

I once thought about becoming a criminal if I couldn't earn money in an honest way, and become sort of like Robin Hood, who steals from the rich, who do not know the misery of the poor.

Andri, 27, is a street musician working in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta and Central Jakarta. He resides in Mampang, South Jakarta with his brother:

Our government is terrible. The country's leaders are too selfish. As a low income earner in the city, I'm angry with them.

I agree that we have to be united in annulling the government's decision to increase prices.

Life is really tough now. Normally, I only earn Rp 20,000 after playing music on buses the whole day. I spend some Rp 15,000 to buy food.

However, I try to keep my heart and mind clear despite enduring the worst conditions of my life. I hope I don't have to resort to crime.

But I can understand how others turn to crime because they are hungry.

Wating, 48, is a scavenger who collects recyclables with a cart in Senayan, Central Jakarta. He has a wife and three children in Indramayu, West Java:

I don't have much to say, except that my life seems to be getting harder and harder with each passing day. I earn about Rp 15,000 a day, but I spend about Rp 10,000 of that on buying two meals for the day. If it's at all possible, I save the rest for my children.

Even though this has been the hardest time of my life, I try hard to be honest and to keep away from evil. There have been many tempting situations in which I could have easily been dishonest, but I didn't dare try. I still keep in mind that my family is waiting for me at home.

I don't want to set a bad example for my children.

-- Leo Wahyudi S