Migrants will only burden the capital, official says

JAKARTA (JP): Some 176,000 migrants who have recently arrived in the capital to seek jobs will burden the city administration, an official said on Wednesday.

"Most of the migrants who arrived after the Christmas, Idul Fitri and New Year holidays have no skills," head of the City Population Agency Sjahrin Lumban Toruan said.

He said the migrants also often did not report their presence to the local authorities, which is a violation of the City Bylaw No. 1/1996 on residents registration.

"The city administration does not intend to prevent people from entering the capital. It's everyone's right.

"We just want to uphold the law and maintain order in the city," Sjahrin said.

The 1996 regulation stipulates that residents must possess valid identity (ID) cards once they turn 17. Those caught without ID cards could face a maximum three-month imprisonment or a Rp 50,000 (US$5.2) fine.

"Migrants who are looking for jobs here must apply for temporary ID cards. They could apply for permanent ones after they have found a job and a place to live," Sjahrin said.

The agency recorded 2.436 million residents leaving the capital during the holiday season, but observed some 2.612 million people coming in after the holidays. The capital currently has a population of 8.3 million.

Sjahrin said the figure was higher than during last year's Idul Fitri when some 2.159 million residents left Jakarta for their hometowns and some 2.416 million people came in after the festivity.

"We recorded at least 135,293 migrants applying for temporary ID cards out of some 256,723 last year," he said.

In a desperate attempt to curb the influx of migrants, the city administration is now conducting an operation against illegal migrants.

"A 'door-to-door' raid, is being conducted across the capital, without hampering the daily activities of the residents," Sjahrin said.

The operation, which cost about Rp 150 million (about US$15.789), is being conducted in coordination with the City Public Order Agency and the city police.

"Each time a raid is conducted, it cost around Rp 4 million," he said.

Sjahrin, however, failed to reveal the results of such operations last year.

The official hinted that his agency, in coordination with the immigration and manpower offices, would also this month conduct raids targeting illegal foreigners.

Earlier Governor Sutiyoso had urged that Jakartans going home for the religious holidays need not bring friends and relatives back with them, saying there would be more job opportunities in the regions with the upcoming regional autonomy. (07)