What is the greatest problem affecting Jakarta today?

Jakarta turns 476 today, growing much too fast for some who cannot keep up with its pace and too slowly for those intent on hurtling along in the fast lane.

It's the dream city of migrants from other areas of the country, but it can end up as their own living hell. Monumental problems -- traffic congestion, pollution, crime, inadequate housing -- plague the city and its people.

The Jakarta Post interviewed residents to find out what they consider the greatest problem besetting the city, and what must be done to remedy the situation to improve the quality of life for us all.

Gozali, 52, taxi driver, a native Jakartan born in Pasar Rumput, South Jakarta:

I think security is the most critical problem in Jakarta and one that has to be solved right away. As a taxi driver, I'm reluctant to drive at night because thugs and criminals are everywhere, especially at street junctions.

You never know if one of your passengers intends to kill you. Taxi drivers have become overly cautious now because we never know when we could lose our lives.

Of course, it has a real impact on our income because we avoid night shifts.

So, if I had the authority, I would make sure this city is safe enough so everyone can be more productive. To achieve that, I might have to tap the consciousness of the people in the city. I would push them to care more about others' rights and most of all to comply with the rule of law, which has been taken for granted for quite some time.

Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, 49, activist, legal expert and legislator, Jakarta-born of mixed Betawi-Madurese descent:

One of the (answers) to the myriad problems faced by Jakarta lies in the hands of its local government, for they don't have the sensibility to respond to what the people say and they don't have a clear vision. They still hold on to the old paradigm.

I don't see any changes from one governor to another. No reform was done before or even after reform (the end of the Soeharto regime).

The local government is ... not proactive. They are still stuck in the old paradigm -- top-down projects and not projects or programs based on the real problems or reality of its people.

I was born in Jakarta and feel myself to be Jakartan because my mother is Betawi. But it's too bad this city has never been my favorite place to live. I live in Bogor and am greeted by the perennial traffic jams after leaving the toll road.

Here we just have too many problems.

However, we cannot just solve the problems by changing the leadership and its face, or electing new councilors.

We need an unabridged package of leadership with a vision and mission, as well as the right approach. That's why I decided to run for vice governor candidate last year because I think I have the vision and mission for people's welfare and for the reform of the internal office in the Jakarta administration.

Maro'ah, 28, a housemaid from Tegal, Central Java, who has been living in Jakarta for about 15 years:

The biggest problem is traffic jams. The terrible congestion often forces me to stay put in my small rented house even though I want to go shopping or watch dangdut (an Indian-Arab derived popular music) at the complex of state-own television station TVRI.

I consider the traffic jams the biggest problem in the city because they affect the daily life of Jakarta residents.

Compared to water pollution or the dwindling green areas in the city, I think traffic jams affect almost all of us.

Suyatno, 43, taxi driver, originally from Madiun, East Java, but a Jakarta resident since 1984:

Lately, safety is the big issue. Crime is on the increase, there are a lot of holdups of motorcyclists and drivers on the streets.

Also traffic jams are getting worse. In South Jakarta, it's probably because of the construction of the new flyovers, but in the north of the city it's due to a lack of parking spaces.

They should really build a parking building there so it won't take over the roadways.

I moved here in 1984 because there was nothing for me in Madiun. We villagers come to big cities to get jobs. At least here there's a better chance of success with trade or something like that. It's not like I like it here.

Candra Wijaya, 27, athlete, a resident since 1988:

I think security is the major problem for Jakarta because there are so many people who do not feel safe on the streets, especially in the evening. There are also certain areas in the city notorious for their high crime rates.

At least we can help safeguard our own kampong or housing complex by taking part in siskamling (neighborhood night patrols). I also took part in siskamling during the May riots in 1998.

We cannot rely too much on the police as they have so many burdens but a limited number of personnel. Police officers' presence in public places, such as in malls, increases the feeling of security to an extent. At least we know that there is someone who is taking care of the security problem.

Our police force must also improve its service so we will no longer consider their presence as something to be afraid of.

Sindy, secretary, Jakarta-born but of mixed Manadonese-Javanese descent:

Crime is the biggest problem. We do not feel safe anywhere anymore, whether it's on the street, on the train, the bus or in our own car. It doesn't matter if it's broad daylight or night -- it's just as risky now.

It's only got this bad in the past five years since the crisis and the reform movement. Everything is really screwed up.

It's not up to the military or police alone to take care of the problem, because there are so many criminals today. We need to open up more job opportunities. For instance, they show all these raids against prostitutes on the streets, but what good does it do if there are no jobs for them to go to? And, the next day, they have no choice but to go back to selling themselves.

Hanafi Wiradinata, 72, a pensioner, originally from West Java but a permanent resident of the capital since 1954:

I have seen the city's physically change into what it is today with skyscrapers and concrete buildings. But such development brings environmental impacts because more and more land is used, leaving no space for water catchment areas.

There have been so many situ (small lake) and empang (pond) as well as swampy areas sacrificed for the sake of physical development.

These actually help to conserve water for us so we will have enough water during the dry season, and they prevent flooding by storing excess water volume.

I have just read in the newspaper that Jakarta will face a scarcity of water by 2010 if we keep building the way we have been doing it. It is just such bad news for all of us because we cannot live without water.

We should provide more water catchment areas inside the city and in the surrounding areas. I know it will be impossible to tear down buildings to provide open land, but at least we can preserve what we already have now.

Another important thing is to keep the upstream area in Bogor, Puncak and Cianjur intact. These areas have undergone massive development in the past several years.

Once the upstream areas can be preserved, I believe Jakarta will not have so many flooding problems in the future.

Muhay, 36, a native Jakartan who works as an assistant manager at a serviced apartment in Central Jakarta.

I think traffic jams are the worst problem in Jakarta, a daily headache involving both private and public vehicles.

The city administration has implemented the three-in-one regulation which I consider quite effective. It would be better if the rule is applied on a larger scale, prohibiting all private vehicles during the three-in-one period.

On the other hand, the administration should provide sufficient public transportation that is reliable and convenience. I believe most professionals and office workers will use public buses if equipped with air-conditioners and comfortable seats.

The administration is also constructing several flyovers and underpasses at busy intersections, but it should be done in more areas to reduce congestion.

But the officials have yet to design more integrated bus stops and pedestrian bridges. People tend to wait for buses on a pedestrian bridge because the bus stop is not located nearby.

Traffic congestion can be reduced slightly if bridges and bus stops can be integrated in one place.

Another problem is that there are too many bus stops located too close to traffic lights, which obstructs the free flow of traffic. City officials should consider a better location which would be more beneficial to the needs of both passengers and bus drivers.