The poor fear public order officers

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