Many happy returns, Jakarta

Today is Jakarta's 470th anniversary. To mark the event, The Jakarta Post talks with people to find out what they think about their city. Related stories are on Page 2, Page 9 and Page 13.

JAKARTA (JP): It is hot and crowded. The traffic jams are unbearable and the air is heavily polluted. Despite all the grumbles, Jakarta's popularity as a metropolis never fades.

Jakarta, home to about 10 million people, faces several problems, but it has its own attractions which lure people to come and try their luck in the big smoke. But what do people say about the city? Do they feel at home in this metropolis?

Poppy Dharsono, a fashion designer: Thirty-nine years ago, when I was six years old, I came to Jakarta. Jakarta was such a quiet city then. Today, it is such an unbelievable dynamic metropolis, which is very interesting. All Jakartans should feel happy living in the city.

In addition, the Betawi culture has affected my clothing designs and it has become one of my inspirations.

Rae Sita Supit, an actress and prominent businesswoman: There is no word of sorrow. Jakarta is such a tremendous city with its many challenges. People should not condemn the government and its regulations.

I came here in the early 1950s and I am proud being a Jakartan. I feel it is the sweetest place in the world. "Home sweet home." About the traffic? It's the thing I miss so much while I am away. Jakartans should enjoy the traffic and the hectic lifestyle.

I acknowledge that there are many slums around the capital. People, therefore, should be act in a more disciplined and diligent way. If they complain that the government is discriminatingly and unfair, they should not live in Jakarta.

Sukardjo, chairman of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: I was born in Surabaya, East Java, in 1936. I came to Jakarta in 1961, when it was basically empty compared to today. Our carpet was made of by coconut fiber. The most striking difference between now and then is you can see skyscrapers around the city.

Ariyanto Supardal, head of the City Land Transportation Agency's Traffic and Transport Control Subdivision: I came to Jakarta in 1967 from Kebumen, Central Java, to continue my undergraduate school at University of Indonesia.

At that time, the traffic was very "empty".

Today, traffic jams are one of the main problems of metropolitan life. So the agency is constructing underpasses to ease the traffic.

Jakartans also need to pay more attention to the city's cleanliness. I noticed that, unfortunately, many educated people ignore this issue. Those who drive cars sometimes throw trash out of their windows.

You can enjoy any entertainment and other facilities in Jakarta, especially if you have money.

Alan Budikusuma, a national shuttler, a 1992 Olympic gold medalist: My first impression about Jakarta when I arrived here was that it was a very crowded metropolis. Even though I have been living here since 1984, I still have my Surabaya ID card and do not have any intention to become a Jakartan.

I think Jakarta is getting better and better, which attracts more people to live here. Of course, it's getting more crowded.

Harun Hajadi, president of PT Ciputra Surya, a subsidiary of the listed PT Ciputra Development: Jakarta has become a business city and it is not as friendly as one might have expected.

Jakarta would become a nicer place to live in if it had more artistic activities, like painting exhibitions, dramas, plays and classical music performances. Such activities are needed by executives and businesspeople to round out their daily routine.

I was born in Jakarta 35 years ago. My mother was born here too but my father is from Palembang.

I have not thought about living in any other city. There is a lot of business opportunities here in Jakarta.

Safwan Natanegara, a director of PT Indosat: My grandparents were originally from Serang, West Java, but I was born and raised in Jakarta.

I am here because this is where the action is. I would pick Surabaya if I had to choose another place (to live). Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia and is quite similar to Jakarta. Indosat also has some projects there.

Asly Sembiring Meliala, strategic development manager of PT Indosat: I was born in Bandung, where my parents live. I came to Jakarta in 1972 to attend the Trisakti University and then to work.

I like living in Jakarta because of the professional opportunities and other modern conveniences it offers.

Ahmad, 28, a native Jakartan who works as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver: Sometimes I want to go to other cities because I find earning money in Jakarta is more difficult than spending it. But if I think twice, I find that leaving Jakarta doesn't make any sense. More people come to Jakarta to get a better life. Why should I, a Jakartan, go to another city?

I live and work at the Ciledug bus station as an ojek driver from about 6 p.m. to nearly 2 a.m. I used to work in a small publishing company but quit because the salary was too small.

I get more being an ojek driver. I earn at least Rp 15,000 in one night. With more people living in the suburbs, the more passengers I will get. It means I earn more money.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja: Can you call Jakarta a home? That's very subjective...There are rich people who do not feel at home in their luxury houses, while there are people living in slum areas but regard their places as home.

The municipality has tried very hard...through implementing policies and development plans, which tends to make people able to call Jakarta a home. We try to make the city friendlier to those living in it.

We still face problems preventing more migrants coming to the city. Many are still attracted to earn their living here, while the municipality doesn't have a policy to close the city to migrants.

We can't force people to follow transmigration programs. People who have left their hometowns to make a living here refuse to leave Jakarta and become farmers.

So, for those intent on living here, whether they like it or not, should agree to live in apartments.

Andhika TM, 33, leader of a Betawi youth organization,: I am a Betawi (native Jakartan), with a Betawi father and a Dutch- Betawi mother. My family, who lived in Kebon Sirih for years, had to moved to the suburbs in the early 1980s because our land was used for office buildings.

I miss the genuine Betawi surroundings, but I can't blame the fast-changing years, which have turned Jakarta into a metropolitan city with multiethnic communities.

I miss some of the real Betawi foods sold by street vendors. And the games, too. I used to play near Jl. Jaksa when I was a kid. But it feels strange to see the street's current condition.

Tata Suarta, leader of Sanggar Betawi, a traditional Betawi art group: I was born here. I am an indigenous Betawi, not a migrant.

Jakarta is a good place to work and make money. There are some Betawi artists who lead a good life. But many others can't make both ends meet. For example, the ondel-ondel dancers and the cokek (traditional Betawi performance) artists.

I am one of the lucky ones. I get some requests to play for television stations like TVRI and TPI, and for Betawi wedding parties.

I can't imagine how I would make a living if I had to move from Jakarta.

Basuki, a comedy actor,: I left my hometown, Surakarta, Central Java, and move to Jakarta because Jakarta is the place to get your fortune. My wife and children did not want to come along. They said they like the hospitality of the people in our hometown, so, I just let them stay there. I call them whenever I feel homesick. I see my family only once a month.

Jakarta is a good place for comedians. Following my success in the Si Doel television series, I have received many requests from advertising agencies, asking me to be do commercials.

Teguh Ostenrik, a noted painter: Jakarta is a metropolitan city but it lacks cultural interests when compared to other capital cities around the world. It looks so lifeless and dry. There have been only a few significant art activities taking place here.

It's unfair, though, to compare Jakarta with European capital cities. Although Jakarta is now 470 years old, it has only been transformed into a metropolis for the last 30 years.

Jakarta is still searching for its own identity -- as the country's business and cultural center. It will take quite a long time before a city grows as it wants to be. Thirty years is such a short time to build a real metropolis.

Other problems facing Jakarta are that it is too crowded and extremely inhuman.

Many Jakartans have already forgotten how to behave well. They rarely respect the rights of other people. This is obviously reflected in their daily lives.

We can easily find so many irresponsible and reckless drivers who keep violating traffic regulations, while their actions could harm other people.

People are so unfriendly and individualistic.

Hadimulyo, a House of Representatives member from the United Development Party: The city authorities should prioritize protection of street vendors if they are sincere in wanting to change Jakarta's appearance to a more humanistic one.

Street businesses should have the right to live in modern Jakarta, because this informal sector has long served as an outlet for the socio-economic problems caused by various disparities.

Street vendors, like those in Tanah Abang for example, will not cost the city its attractiveness or cause traffic problems if the authorities are willing to learn from European cities.

Why don't they localize the street vendors in a place where they can work without a feeling of insecurity? In the area, cars would be barred and law and order officials permitted.

The number of urban people working in the informal sector will always increase. This will be a time bomb if the problem is not handled properly.

Public transportation, housing, air pollution and seawater intrusion are other chronic problems Jakarta has long faced without adequate solutions.

The root of the problems is the city's fast growing population.

Deconcentration of population should be initiated by maximizing Jakarta's satellite areas of Tangerang, Bogor and Bekasi as both residential and working sites.

Meity Joseph, a prosecutor, an Ambonese, who was born and grew up in Ujungpandang: I have been living here since 1959, and working as a prosecutor since 1970.

Jakarta is a fairly good place to live because you can get anything you want and you can go everywhere easily.

One think I cannot stand about Jakarta is traffic jams. They are just impossible, and I hope the government will do something about them fast.

I would not go back to Ujungpandang or Ambon because my sons and daughters are here. What's more, I don't have any friends left in Ujungpandang.

Lulu, a model, TV presenter and reporter: I was born in Jakarta. My mother is from Padang, but my father was born in Jakarta, although his parents were originally from Central Java.

I like Jakarta because I can make money here.

But I don't like the traffic jams. I drive and spend hours on the road everyday. It is a waste of time.

Jakarta must have Mass Rapid Transportation. It's a must. It's much better than the flyovers. I know that it costs more, but we have to think about the future.

When I was a kid, things were much nicer. But today, Jakarta is very crowded due to the high rate of urbanization. I think it is because development is so focused on Jakarta and several other major cities.

I don't have any plan to move out of Jakarta, except if I get married and have to follow my husband. My boyfriend is an Indonesian citizen who lives in the Netherlands, and we might get married this year. Well, I am 29, going on 30. (team)