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Newcomers required to have job, housing in Jakarta, official says
Every year during the Idul Fitri holiday, millions of Jakarta’s residents travel by land, sea and air to return to their hometowns. Many bring gifts from their work in the city, which often encourages thousands of relatives to follow them back in search of a better life in Jakarta, further exacerbating the overpopulation issue.
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The South Jakarta Civil Registry Agency holds a civil registry operation to record data on newcomers on July 11, 2018, in the municipality at Cipulir in Kebayoran Lama. (kompas.com/Nursita Sari )
T
he Jakarta administration will mandate that newcomers arriving after the Idul Fitri holiday secure both employment and housing, as the city anticipates a surge of incomers seeking better opportunities in its already overcrowded urban landscape.
Acting head of the Jakarta Civil Registration Agency, Budi Awaluddin, said that the new policy is designed to ensure newcomers can become self-reliant and make a positive contribution to the city’s economy.
“We are not banning newcomers from moving to Jakarta, but we want them to have jobs, housing and useful skills,” he said on Wednesday, as quoted by Kompas.
“With the right skills, they can play a vital role in helping realize Jakarta’s vision as a global city and contribute to Indonesia’s goal of achieving 'Golden Indonesia 2045,” he added
Budi said that in the future, the Jakarta administration will issue a regulation stipulating that only individuals who have lived in Jakarta for at least ten years will be eligible for government social assistance programs.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that Jakarta remains safe and comfortable for all its residents,” he said.
Home to around 11 million people, Jakarta has been struggling with severe overpopulation. With nearly 16,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, the city ranks not only among the most densely populated in Indonesia, but also in the world.
