'I have a conscience despite my hard life'

'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