'Street kids exploited by adults'
The number of street children here has increased in the past few years. They can be found at every intersection in the city. When the traffic lights turn red, they approach the cars and beg. Some motorists say they take pity on the children, but others say they are annoying.
Yuli Indriawati, 26, was born in Jakarta and now resides in Pancoran, South Jakarta. She works as an employee at a kindergarten in Sunter, North Jakarta.
"Street children? Of course, everyday I meet them on my way to work and home. They can be easily found singing or begging on public busses or public minivans.
"My reaction to them depends on the situation. Sometimes, I feel pity on them, especially the toddlers. If I have some change, I will surely give some to them. Besides, some of them are really good singers. I often give more to those who sing popular songs.
"However, I hate those older children who sometime insist on passengers giving them money. Like today, a drunk street child extorted money from passengers."
Sri Hudani spokeswoman of the Bung Karno Sport Complex management in Central Jakarta. She lives in Ciputat, South Jakarta.
"As I have also children, I take pity on them (street children). I never refuse if they ask for money from me. But I also know that they are exploited by their parents or by other adult people.
"When I go home from my office, I know that a group of women organize the street children to become beggars at the traffic lights.
"How could they exploit a five-year-old child to work on the street up to 12 at night while many other children sleep soundly in their beds.
"I think the authorities should not allow such an exploitation of children. They should crack down against those involved in such a bad business."
B. Virna Widyastuti, 24, a marketer at a leading private company. She is the only daughter of a family who resides in Tomang, West Jakarta.
"My spontaneous feelings upon seeing the street children is pity. I take pity on them as I cannot imagine how those little kids spend most of their lives on the streets.
"I wonder about the whereabouts of their parents and how they could let their children do such a thing, which makes them prone to violations, mistreatment and many other unpleasant things.
"Sometimes I'm reluctant to give them money due to my suspicion that there must be someone behind them. I'm really willing to donate to the children, but not their boss, if any.
"So I prefer giving them things like candy or food instead of money. I'm so sad when I see those deprived children's condition.
"I think the government does not have any serious concerns about the life of street children. It would be better to accommodate them in appropriate halfway homes across greater Jakarta."