Sutiyoso seeks to limit migrants

JAKARTA: City Governor Sutiyoso wants to issue new regulations limiting incoming migrants claiming many cause problems in the capital city.

"Until now we can only ask the migrants not to come here and stay in Jakarta. But it's not effective. So there should be regulations to enforce this," Sutiyoso said on Thursday.

He said some 250,000 people from outside Jakarta came to settle in the city every year, while city space was limited and could no longer accommodate them all.

"Many of them will stay in illegal land plots, such as in riverbanks, and conduct illegal business," he said as quoted by Antara.

"With hundred of thousands of people in the city still unemployed due to the economic crisis, their presence in the city will only cause many problems. What will become of Jakarta with their presence?"

He said that with an area of 650-square kilometers, Jakarta had a population of 10 million people or an average of 15,000 people per square kilometer. --JP