JPS: Heru's Appeal for Prospective Newcomers to Jakarta is Right

Jakarta Public Service (JPS) Executive Director, Mohamad Syaiful Jihad, assessed that Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono's direction to prospective migrants was very appropriate.

Jakarta is open to all Indonesian citizens

According to him, prospective newcomers to Jakarta must have good skills and education. No less important, they must also have certainty of temporary residence.

"We certainly don't want these newcomers to become a new burden for Jakarta with increasing social problems," he expressed, Saturday (5/6).

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He added the Acting Governor's wish for newcomers to Jakarta is a reasonable thing and for the good of the newcomers themselves.

"Jakarta is open to all Indonesian citizens. However, all must think about and have thorough preparations before going to Jakarta, don't be reckless because not all are successful," he stated.

He explained Jakarta is indeed still a magnet for people in the regions to improve their welfare. However, the existing employment opportunities are also limited and the competition is higher.

"There is competition, including with residents who already live in Jakarta. Thereby, without the provision of qualified education and skills, newcomers will also have difficulty living in Jakarta," he explained.

To overcome urbanization problem, it could be done with an even distribution of development through the spirit of regional autonomy. Then, regions outside Jakarta must be able to maximize the value of Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP).

"Jakarta UMP is certainly interesting. But, remember, the cost of living in Jakarta is higher than in regions. So, if the UMP area is good, residents will certainly prefer to work in their hometown rather than going all the way to Jakarta," he explained.

He went on to say that the transfer of the capital from Jakarta to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan was also expected to have a positive impact on the flow of urbanization to Jakarta.

"In the new IKN, it will absorb more workers. I think this is also a good thing, thus everyone doesn't try their luck in Jakarta," he stated.