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