'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