REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Some 45 to 50 thousand migrants arrive in Jakarta, especially following the Eid season, as people are returning to the city from their hometowns, according to Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
"The growth in Jakarta's population is not due to its birth rate but is the result of a high rate of urbanization. I suggest that those returning to Jakarta should not bring along new relatives or friends," Djarot noted in Jakarta, Friday.
The deputy governor emphasized the importance of reporting the arrival of migrants. He also hoped that the migrants will possess the required skills and abilities.
"Migrants are given six months to report their arrival. Within that period of time, they would need to find a profession, otherwise they may have to return to their hometowns," he stated.
Jakarta is the capital city of the country, which implies that it is open for all to come and reside, but it does not mean that the influx spirals out of control. It is open, but it has its own jurisdictions. For this reason, Jakarta's regional government will prepare a control mechanism to manage migrants, he added.
"This issue cannot alone be solved by the Jakarta government but would need the help of the central government. The areas outside Jakarta can grow at the same rate as the capital city if the central government can create new development centers outside Jakarta," Djarot reiterated.
By creating jobs in different fields in various regions of the country, the people will no longer have to leave their cities to find jobs, he affirmed.
"The development strategy needs to focus on other areas and not just Jakarta. When the circulation of money is concentrated in Jakarta, the people will continue to gravitate to the city, much alike the proverb that says 'where there is sugar, there are ants.' Jakarta acts as a beacon in the darkness, and it naturally attracts moths. The central government should create new lights in the areas outside Jakarta to serve as novel attractions," Djarot added.
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