Social life in Jakarta

Social life in Jakarta

Jakartans seem to be as insensitive as the concrete buildings. In terms of environmental awareness, I would say they are unaware of their own environmental problems. For them serious environmental problems like traffic jams, floods, bad roads, garbage disposal and air pollution are nothing but specks of dust in the wind. We face those problems every time we go out in Jakarta.

Jakarta, a hub of all activity in this country, is just like an old man bearing many loads. The typical characteristic of development in urban areas which ignores the rule of nature and is only concerned about economic growth is now really creating chaos. For instance, we build houses and golf courses in water catchment areas. As a result, when the rainy season comes rivers overflow and floods settlements along the rivers.

We should distinguish natural disasters from man-made disasters. Nature is wise enough to safeguard its existence, while men with their unending needs always try to exploit nature as much as possible. It is not fair to blame nature for the disasters that recently happened.

Anyone who observed the horrible flood which inundated many parts of Jakarta recently may think twice about choosing Jakarta as a place to live. The indirect impact of the flood as reported by The Jakarta Post (Jan. 11, 1996) shows how a flood victim asked for donations from passing motorists. That awful phenomenon also shows the chaotic situation of social life in Jakarta.

WAHYUNI RIZKIANA KAMAH

Jakarta