Jakarta has facilities, but a tough place to live

Despite its hustle and bustle of businesses, many Jakartans find that the city is tough and unfriendly. Some find that the city provides the facilities they need while others feel the city is too cruel to the poor. Some residents share their feelings for the city with The Jakarta Post.

Yusup, 18, is a squatter who lives on the banks of the West Flood Canal in Teluk Gong, Penjaringan district, North Jakarta. He has been working as a becak (pedicab) driver for two years.

I know that I'm poor and I need a job to earn a living. I need a place to live in the city and I have found the place to better my life.

But many times the administration forcibly evicts us from our houses. I hate the administration and the governor as they not only evict us but fail to relocate us.

If the public order officers evict us, the administration must have a plot of land to accommodate us. The governor is dictatorial to the poor. I hate that.

I hope they understand the squatters' outcry for more humane places. Don't drive us away despite the fact that we are aware of our unlawful deeds. That's the only thing we can hope for.

Otto Adi Yulianto, 29, is an activist at a non-governmental organization. After leaving his hometown in Salatiga, Central Java, in 1997 he has been living in Palmerah, South Jakarta.

What I really like from Jakarta is I can buy books easily here. The price is relatively cheap compared to the small bookstores in my hometown. We can also find second hand books easily here at lower prices.

But I really hate public transportation here. As a regular customer, I can say that public transportation in Jakarta is neither steady nor safe. Buses are always fully packed with passengers.

Security is also a serious problem for passengers. We don't only deal with pickpockets but also robbers. So far the problem remains unsolved as the police have done nothing to stop them.

Traffic jams is another unsolved problem which needs more attention from the administration.

Rahmad, 37, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver from Jombang, East Java. He shares a house with three ojek drivers in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He has been working in the city for almost nine years:

Jakarta is very tough and hard. We must work hard to survive. People walk fast to get to their workplaces. They seem to not care for others.

It's different from my village in Sumobito, Jombang, which is full of hospitality. People know and care for each other. So my wife and four children still live in the village.

But it's easier to earn money in Jakarta. I can earn between Rp 30,000 and Rp 40,000 a day, which is impossible to get in the village.

Voni, 33, an employee of an insurance company on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She lives in Bintaro, South Jakarta.

I love Jakarta with all its good and bad sides as I was born here. I love it's complete facilities compared to other cities in the country.

Various kinds of recreation centers, which are very important for me to relax after working hard during the week, are available.

But probably, the administration and the police can improve the city's security. It's a bit scary to go certain places here, especially at night.