Jakarta in a mess

Jakarta in a mess

From Kompas

Jakarta is increasingly becoming muddled with motor vehicles, particularly means of public transportation, dropping and picking up passengers anywhere on main roads, thus causing traffic jams. The police ignore the confusion, while people without helmets ride motorbikes freely.

Vacant land plots are mostly used for car washes, rented houses, food stalls or kiosks, without any action by the relevant city authorities to put land use in order. Meanwhile, Jakarta's security personnel often are becoming less humane in their treatment of citizens when conducting raids in such places. They should be patrolling daily to ensure proper use of public facilities instead of just staying in their offices.

Unless the conditions are reordered and strictly regulated from now on, the capital will be in total disarray within the next two to three years. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso should also frequently conduct field inspections to get things appropriately arranged.

ANDREAS, Jakarta