'We can only envy other cities'

'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