The poor fear public order officers
Poverty has become one of the most important issues for the city administration, with the number of Jakartans living below the poverty line having continued to increase since the economic crisis first struck in mid-1997. While the government and the city administration have introduced various poverty alleviation programs over the years, these programs have had little impact on the problem. Observers attribute this failure to the administration's ignorance of the root causes of poverty. What do Jakartans have to say about the issue?
Erna, 28, a Jakarta-born housewife with one child. She lives on the banks of the Krukut River in Tambora subdistrict, West Jakarta.
"Poverty is a reality that I have been used to since my childhood. You can see for yourself my shabby and small house, where I live with my husband and child.
I know the neighborhood is not good for my daughter but I have no other choice. I can't afford to rent a bigger house in a better neighborhood with my husband's income of only Rp 150,000 (US$17.20) a week.
I always feel insecure. Floods can come at anytime and destroy my house. And the city's public order officers are another threat, because they can raid us at anytime.
Choice and opportunity in life are limited for poor people like me. Nobody wants to be poor, but it's the reality and I have to survive."
Ihsan Rauf Praja, 40, a lawyer who lives in Kebon Bawang, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.
"You can find poor people living in nearly all corners of the city, as there have been no comprehensive efforts by the administration to improve their welfare since the crisis hit the country in 1997.
There is no attention paid to the homeless. There's no room for informal businesses run by people like street vendors. The space where they are allowed to work is very limited. They are forced to close up their businesses without any other opportunities.
The public order officers always treat them as if they have no right to live in the capital.
I think non-governmental organization activists must speak louder to demand the administration take action to help the poor."
Mawar Hutabarat, a 33-year-old housewife and mother of three. She has lived in Jakarta for 13 years and is a social worker.
"Poverty is not a new issue in the city. In fact, the number of poor increases every day. Ironically, the administration has failed to deal with the poor with any compassion.
The poor are considered non-residents, which gives the administration an excuse to evict them. This approach, which drains a lot of money from the city budget, is useless. The administration must face the fact that there are poor people living in the city. It must also treat them like other citizens. If they were given space to live, the poor would be able to manage their lives."
F.X. Sarmidi, 24, works at a kindergarten. He moved from Yogyakarta three years ago to try his luck in Tangerang.
"I think everyone has to fight in their lives, even if they are living in poverty. However, it is easier said than done.
As a common person from the lower class, I don't think I am very poor. I can afford meals and clothes, and even rent a small room with my salary, which is the regional minimum wage. I thank God for His blessings that I am able to live a simple but lucky life.
I just hope the government and the rich will be more willing to pay more attention and lend a hand to the poor. Otherwise, Indonesia will never be a prosperous country." -- JP