Corruption Indonesia ranks fourth in the world in terms of corruption - perhaps this is why so many people suffer from poverty. Maybe those committing corruption are happy they can embezzle state money, and do not think about the impact of their crime. They practice corruption in various ways, such as by receiving bribes or abusing the power of their positions in government and state institutions.

In several instances, certain people have even misused charity funds contributed by other countries for the poor and victims of disasters here.

We have the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), but unfortunately, its power has not extended to cover all government agencies in this country.

Corruption is a serious problem. Therefore, we all - the people and the government - have to fight it. One important aspect is that the court has to give severe punishments to those found guilty of this crime.

Those who commit corruption must return all money earned from their criminal actions. The government should also identify the cause of corruption so that it will be able to carry out preventive action.

Alexandra Claudia

13-year old, Jakarta

Traffic

Jakarta has many problems, one of which is transportation. Of course traffic has long been a part of our lives. If we open the door, what we always see are cars or motorbikes. Those hordes of motorbikes near my place look like a swarm of bees. Don't they make us sick?

Many problems stem from the fact there are too many vehicles on the streets. Firstly, it can make me late to English class and my teacher gets angry with me.

Second, traffic is boring because you have to wait a long time inside the car and there is no other view except car after car after car.

Third, many people easily become hot-tempered. Fourth, it makes fuel in our cars empty quickly. Fifth, it makes drivers tired and sore. And there are many more.

I believe these are all problems sparked by traffic congestion. So, how to solve this BIG issue? The city administration has tried to introduce many polices to solve traffic mayhem, such as by imposing 3-in-1 thoroughfares and expanding busway corridors. But no one strategy will solve this problem entirely.

Well, I have an idea which could ease the problem. Why doesn't the government stop producing vehicles for one month out of every three? What do you think?

Putra Hanif

14-year old, Jakarta

Pollution

I want to talk about some problems in our city, Jakarta. There's something that always disturbs me when I walk along the streets. That is pollution.

When my friends and I were walking to school recently, we were disrupted by the smoke coming from the exhausts of cars and motorbikes.

The smoke really hurt my eyes. I think the problem is due to too many vehicles in this city.

Jakarta is a big city with an even bigger population. Many Jakarta residents have vehicles - cars and motorcycles. And the number of cars continues to increase. I think this is the problem.

If we don't stop the growth, pollution in the city will become worse and global warming will continue impacting not just on Indonesia, but all over the world.

I think the government should discourage people from using cars and motorbikes for their daily transportation and encourage them to use public transportation by improving the services.

Y. Dimas Aji

12-year old, Jakarta

Unemployment

Unemployment is a serious problem in Jakarta. The conditions are worse than other regions because more and more people are coming to the capital looking for work.

Unfortunately, many of them do not have a good education, and may have only completed their studies in junior and senior high school. Many villagers come to the city for a better life. Unfortunately, they do not find a dream job in the city because many other people are trying out the same thing.

Better education I think is a key. Well educated people not only find jobs easier, but then free up a position for somebody else.

Harsyah Kharisma Hanif

13-year old, Jakarta

Garbage

As the Indonesian capital, Jakarta faces many problems, one of which is garbage collection. The Jakarta metropolitan city has lured more and more people to come and more and more garbage is produced.

Unfortunately, the city administration has not developed treatment facilities that can manage all of this garbage.

Another problem is that many Jakartans prefer to dispose of their garbage in rivers, not in proper garbage cans. Their actions are very regrettable because it makes all rivers in the city full of trash. And when the rainy season comes, the garbage clogs drainage systems and contributes to floods.

Jakarta has to receive water from Bogor, West Java, during the rainy season and unfortunately, the sluices along Ciliwung river like in Manggarai, South Jakarta, are overflowing with an increasing amount of garbage.

I think the government needs to deploy more garbage trucks and employ more garbage men. An official said that currently the government can only collect 85 percent of the garbage produced by Jakartans. Where is the another 15 percent going?

The government should also draft regulations, and then more importantly enforce them. Consistent enforcement will force people to abide by the regulations. They prefer to abide by the law rather than to pay fines. We Jakartans should also not dump any garbage into rivers, streets or in other prohibited places

Raymond

Jakarta

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