Jakarta's newcomers

Jakarta's newcomers

From Neraca

Jakarta's governor, Surjadi Soedirdja, always warns people who spend their Idul Fitri holidays in their home towns not to bring their relatives with them when they return to Jakarta.

The governor has also instructed district and village chiefs not to process the papers of newcomers to Jakarta if they prove not to have permanent jobs.

Do the people heed the governor's warning? According to media reports, many of the holidaymakers come back to Jakarta bringing their relatives. After this year's Idul Fitri celebrations, it is estimated that 300,000 new arrivals will join Jakarta's population of nine million.

In my opinion, the Jakarta administration does not really prevent people from coming to Jakarta to try their luck. What we must do is to give the newcomers essential information on how to be good and orderly Jakarta residents, and thus be a benefit to Jakarta.

ARDY APRIDANTO

Bekasi, West Java