'We can only envy other cities'

Rapid expansion and overcrowding have made Jakarta a difficult place to live in. On the city's 477th official anniversary, the administration must do something to deal with the numerous social problems afflicting the metropolis, particularly poverty. Some people talked to The Jakarta Post about their hopes for the city.

Anwar Musa, 42, is a copywriter at an advertising agency in Pluit, North Jakarta. He lives with his wife and two children in Mampang, South Jakarta:

The city anniversary is just the same every year: Jakarta fair, great sale, Pasar Baru festival, etc.

As a Jakarta resident, I hope the administration can do more than just stage celebrations. They could, for example, consider policies on how to reduce unemployment in the city.

The administration could also introduce policies to help the thousands of people left homeless following their forcible eviction by public order officers.

Such policies, I think, are awaited by these people -- they really need serious attention from the administration.

Asrofudin Nur Widodo, 40, is a staffer at the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPUD). He resides in Cipayung, East Jakarta:

The conditions in Jakarta nowadays do not reflect the city's age. Even after 477 years, the administration is still not able to resolve the old problems of transportation, the environment, poverty and various other social problems.

Transportation may be the most acute problem. The public has always been deprived of comfortable yet safe public transportation. Meanwhile, the traffic congestion is getting worse on nearly all the city's roads, particularly during peak hours.

As residents, we must not only blame the administration. We must also question our own behavior -- are we really good citizens? I still see many motorists not wearing their seat belts while motorcyclists often don't wear safety helmets.

If we compare Jakarta to other cities, we can only feel jealous.

-- The Jakarta Post