'I totally disagree with the migration policy plan'

'I totally disagree with the migration policy plan'

In an attempt to deal with Jakarta's numerous problems, from
horrendous traffic jams to increased levels of crime, Governor
Sutiyoso has announced plans to close the city to migrants, who
have been entering the capital at the rate of about 250,000 per
year. Some of the people most likely to be affected by the new
policy shared their views with The Jakarta Post.

Casrani, 42, a peanut vendor at the National Monument Park in
Central Jakarta. He lives in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, with
his wife and three children:

I completely disagree with the governor's plan to close the
city to migrants. Whatever the reasons, the governor should be
open-eyed in making the regulation.

Let's suppose that he was elected by low-income people, why
does he not side with us?

If (the regulation) is true, it's ridiculous. Many migrants
come to the city to earn a living. Jakarta is their dream.

My hometown, Brebes in Central Java, is a hard place to make
a living. We count on the rain for agriculture. If we are lucky
enough to get water, we still can only harvest our crops twice a
year.

So it's usual for people from there to migrate to the capital.
Just because we're poor doesn't mean we don't deserve to earn a
better living in the city.

I wonder how the government can ban migrants who come to the
city for valid, legal reasons. If they come to become criminals,
than they can ban them.

Bardani, 50, has been a bajaj driver for more than
11 years. He lives in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. His wife and
eight children live in Indramayu, West Java:

What kind of rule is that? I totally disagree if the governor
closes the city to migrants.

It's crazy to ban people from earning a living. Do you think
the governor will give us money to live in the city? Impossible!

Poor people are always victimized and neglected. People never
open their eyes and see that life is hard for poor people like
me. Don't they realize that it's difficult just to earn Rp 1,000
in my village?

So if the government imposes the regulation, it means that I'm
not allowed in the city, right? Oh, no! Every month I visit my
family in my hometown and give them the money I have earned. Then
I come back to Jakarta to continue working. How can I earn money
if I can't enter the city?

I don't own any land in my village so my family depends on the
money I make here.

Eri, has been a construction worker in the capital for 10
years. He lives in Cirebon, West Java, with his wife and
daughter:

I completely disagree with the governor's plan to enforce that
strict regulation. If it is implemented I cannot imagine how low
income people will get by.

Jakarta is a big city and I'm not sure most city residents can
live without the poor. For instance, who will build or repair
their buildings? Do you think the rich can handle that job? I
don't think so.

The migrant workers and the low income people are the ones who
build the city.

Migrants and temporary workers come to the city just for work
and money. That's all! How does that harm the city
administration?

Living in my village is real tough and we are hardly able to
earn any money. Is it wrong to come to the city to make money and
survive?

--Leo Wahyudi S