'More unskilled people leads to crime'

The city administration has frequently reminded Jakarta migrant workers not to bring along their unemployed relatives and friends with them when they return from their hometowns after the Idul Fitri holiday. Governor Sutiyoso says there is no place for unskilled migrants in the capital. The Jakarta Post asked some residents their opinion on the issue.

Tia, 28, is an employee of a private bank in Jakarta. She lives in a rented room in Kemang, South Jakarta:

I agree with Sutiyoso that Jakarta is already overrun with migrants. People from other areas should not come to Jakarta. However, I believe that Sutiyoso's policy alone will not work if he doesn't get support from the administrations of other regions where the migrants came from.

Other administration should also work hard to provide jobs because people come to Jakarta because they think they can earn money more easily here. So, the bottom line is unemployment.

Looking at it in this way, the central government should also play a key role in balancing development and create jobs in other regions, and stop concentrating only on Jakarta.

If they fail to do this, I believe the influx of people to Jakarta will continue.

Fuji, 38, is an owner of a trading company in Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife and children in Pondok Pinang, South Jakarta:

As a basic commodity trader, I would prefer Jakarta to have more residents because more people means more buyers. Everybody, rich and poor alike, needs food and clothes, you know. They are also a source of cheap labor. So, I still question the benefit of Sutiyoso's instruction to prohibit newcomers from entering Jakarta.

However, I realize that more unskilled people results in unemployment or at least underemployment. This, in turn, will lead to more crime as people will try to get money in any way they can in order to eat.

If the ban can make Jakarta safer and cleaner then I guess it's worth giving up a little profit.

-- The Jakarta Post