'People only think about money, and not others'

Many lavish festivities are underway to mark the 476th anniversary of Jakarta, but real life is far removed from the glamor, as there are so many problems facing the city and its residents. Some care about them, while others, especially the poor, complain about their hard lives and the lack of attention from city officials, as they told The Jakarta Post.

Anastasia, 33, works for a private company in Kemang, South Jakarta. She resides in Pejaten, South Jakarta:

I'm really upset about the fact that most city residents are so busy making money that they don't care about each other.

To some extent, I realize that the competition to survive is so tight that people have no time to interact with others.

I think this is at the root of all problems in Jakarta, not to mention that almost all city leaders are questionable. They don't side with the people, as they only think about their own power and interests.

As for me, I try to care about my neighbors, who are mostly native Jakartans, and have organized a study group for students. It's like a free English course for them. I also try to give books to children in the neighborhood.

Oppie, 29, works at a private company in South Jakarta. She lives in Cawang, East Jakarta, with her family:

The transportation problems are so terrible. It's mostly private cars that clog the roads across the capital nowadays.

Everyone struggles to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Worse still, many motorcycles completely ignore traffic regulations and even go the wrong way down one-way streets just to make a shortcut.

To tell the truth, I sometimes do the same, especially during rush hours to get to the office on time.

I don't really have any other choice. If I want to avoid the traffic congestion, I could leave earlier in the morning but if I do, I will be sleepy the whole day.

The lack of public awareness about traffic rules and regulations, the inadequacy of police and traffic officers and the uncontrollable increase of the number of vehicles all compound the problems.

I want to improve my discipline by complying with the traffic regulations. That's the most I can do now.

Kesrek, 40, is a sidewalk vendor who sells soft drinks on Jl. Pintu Besar, West Jakarta. He lives in Balokan, North Jakarta, with his two children:

I have been struggling in the city since I ran away from an orphanage in Central Java 32 years ago. My life hasn't been very kind to me so far.

It is completely true that Jakarta is a city of misfortune and violence. The only place I haven't been is prison.

I used to live in a railway station and train cars for years. My worst job ever was collecting cigarette butts. That's my most unforgettable experience in the city.

Even worse, I wasted my earnings on gambling and drinking with my mates, who were mostly riffraff.

Years have gone by, but my life has not gotten better -- as you can see, I'm just selling soft drinks now. I feel stuck in my life as sidewalk vendor.

Now the situation in the city is even worse than before. Every day is the same, just fighting hard to survive another day.

The city anniversary and its celebration is only a waste of people's money. The festivities can only be enjoyed by the rich and the middle class. How happy the rich are!

Johan, 59, owns a newsstand at Kota railway station, West Jakarta. He lives in Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, with his wife and three children:

Jakarta is never friendly to migrants like me. But I'm lucky to have the chance to run this business after having been without a job for years.

There are a lot of people who are dying of starvation. Why don't the officials and the governor spend money to help feed them, instead of pouring it into the festivities to celebrate the city's anniversary?

-- Leo Wahyudi S.