What people say about all the migrants

JAKARTA (JP): This is a city of hope and challenge for many, an arena to try their luck in the great adventure of life.

They come from all corners of the country in search of opportunities, jobs and a better life, both for them and their families back in the provinces.

Migrants add to the city's colorful ethnic mosaic, but also compete with native Jakartans (Betawi) and long-settled residents for jobs.

The Jakarta Post interviewed several people -- both native born and recent arrivals -- on the contribution of migrants.

Neran, a native Jakartan and security guard at a private school in Bekasi, east of Jakarta: Personally, I have no problem with the migrants. I live peacefully with them. But I think there are too many people in Jakarta as it is, and urbanization should be stopped. Too many people will only make Jakarta overcrowded.

The collection of people from various ethnic groups makes Jakarta rich. But the modern, varied lifestyles of these migrants have led most Betawi young people to forget their own culture.

Many Betawi believe they have been pushed by the migrants to the outskirts of the city. Most Betawi live in the suburbs because they sold their land to the migrants.

Many of my relatives and friends also think the increasing number of migrants has lowered their chances of landing better jobs.

Luhsanti Supargiyanto, a Javanese mother of two, resident of Jakarta for 28 years, who is employed at an insurance adjuster on Jl. Jend. Sudirman: I just gave birth to a child early this year and I really need my two maids (also migrants) to do the household work and take care of my oldest daughter, who is only three years old.

When the maids are not here, I have to go to my mother's house because I am unable to do the household work and take care of the children without assistance. What's more, my husband still has to go to the office.

I am glad my mother lives close to my house. My sisters and brothers, who are also working, can still do the household chores, including washing and ironing, before going to work. They can also help me take care of my daughter during the evening.

I really hope my maids return from the Idul Fitri holiday as soon as possible.

Sunaryo, a taxi driver, father of nine and Central Java native: Well, this year is really difficult for everybody.

I moved here in 1957 and I feel like a Jakartan myself. The more people who come to Jakarta, the more difficult it becomes to find work.

I do not blame people who come here to earn a living; they are probably not interested in farming in their villages. Farmers have to deal with high risks and costs, and they still do not earn much from selling their products.

I do not think they would move here if they could make a lot of money through farming.

I do not mind if many migrants come here because I believe I will still earn enough to feed my family if I try hard. And most of my children are working so I have nothing to worry about.

Endah Limawati, a Jakarta-born internal auditor of the Aspac Group: It is nice having fewer people in Jakarta (during the Lebaran mass return to hometowns) because I don't have to go to the office first thing in the morning. The streets are not very crowded, and it only takes about 20 minutes from my home to the office. Usually, I have to spend more than an hour to get to work.

Then again, I also miss the people, especially the food vendors, because I have to eat instant noodles for breakfast and sometimes also for lunch. There is no Padang food or noodles since street vendors are still on holiday.

And the office boys are still on leave, so I can't ask them to order food for me.

I also have to do household work to help my mother because our maids are also on holiday.

I think there are more minuses than pluses without the migrants.

Widuri Sukandar, a Javanese housewife and mother of five, who moved to Jakarta in 1970: I have two maids who started their Idul Fitri holiday on Jan. 17. I realized my children and I would have to work harder while they were away.

During Ramadhan, we missed the pre-dawn meal once because we overslept. And I was so busy preparing the Idul Fitri meals.

The main problem for me is when I go shopping at the nearby traditional market. My children are at work and the house is empty. I am always scared someone will break in.

I just hope the dairy vendor returns soon. Then I will not have to leave the house to go to the market.

I hope they will return soon.

Mohammad Iqbal, owner of a barbershop in Joglo, West Jakarta: I am from Garut, West Java, and have been a barber for 27 years. It all started in 1960 when my late father set up shop under a tree; all he had was a chair, several pieces of cloth and a few items of barber equipment.

I am proud of my job because it is needed by all the people. I am not ashamed that I have to sweep up hair on the floor -- that is the work of a barber.

When I return to Garut, I always tell my neighbors that my profession earns me a good income.

My comments piqued the interest of some, who have come here to become barbers. They, too, have found they can earn a lot of money.

I brought my children and relatives here from my hometown and they are following in my footsteps. They have opened several barbershops around Jakarta.

But now, in the crisis, my earnings are not as much as before. I formerly earned Rp 100,000 a day, but the number of customers decreases almost daily. On average, just 10 people get a haircut, which costs Rp 3,500, at my shop. (gis/yan/lnt)