'Life in Jakarta gets harder all the time'

Jakarta celebrated its 478th anniversary on June 22 amid reports of malnutrition in the capital and complaints that public services are available only for those who can pay. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their views on life in the city.

Didi, 28, owns a small shoe store in Pasar Minggu market, South Jakarta. He lives with his wife and son in a rental house in Cilandak, South Jakarta:

Life in Jakarta is getting harder. The competition gets fiercer every day. I have fewer and fewer customers every year because I have to compete with larger and fancier malls and shops.

I used to make a profit of at least Rp 50,000 a day, but now bringing home Rp 25,000 a day to my wife is difficult. I guess I will have to sell my shop and get into a new line of business if this situation continues.

I wish the Jakarta administration would provide soft loans for people like me. It should not deal only with large businesses just to get a big commission from their deals.

Suhari, 40, is a soccer coach at several schools in Jakarta. He lives with his wife and two children in Bojong Gede, Bogor:

I would give this piece of advice to people thinking about coming to Jakarta to find work: Do not come to Jakarta if you do not have a specific skill because you will end up miserable. Jakarta is becoming a meaner city in which to live.

A high school diploma or a strong will does not mean anything in Jakarta. You have to depend on good fortune. Believe me, only people with proper skills can make it in Jakarta.

I am an example. I came to Jakarta with nothing and I had to be willing to do anything just to eat. Luckily, I love soccer and I was one of the best soccer players in my hometown. So I was able to use my skill to earn a living.

-- The Jakarta Post