Jakarta – Undeterred by fierce criticism of his policy, Jakarta governor Sutiyoso has reiterated his intention to close the city to migrants who do not have sufficient money to live on, job offers or a house to stay in.
'We have certain requirements; not all migrants can enter the city,' he said after opening a seminar on population at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel here on Wednesday.
He said migrants who wanted to enter the city should have sufficient money to live on, for a while. He said they should also be able to find accommodation, possibly with relatives.
"Or the people should have already arranged employment here. They should not come here without definite job prospects or just to seek a job," said Mr Sutiyoso, who was re-elected for the second five-year term this month.
He admitted that such a policy would be similar to that in Batam, which is also facing an influx of migrants. He said the plan to close the city to migrants would be included in the draft by-law on population, being formulated by the city administration.
Last year, he announced his plan to close the city ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays – a time when many migrants usually come to Jakarta.
The administration estimates that some 250,000 newcomers enter the city every year, with most of them arriving after the Muslim holidays.
Former governor Ali Sadikin supported Mr Sutiyoso's policy to close the city to migrants in an effort to solve urban population problems.
"There should be a limitation on the number of people entering the city or the city will face a huge population problem," said Mr Ali on Wednesday. He was recently installed as Mr Sutiyoso's adviser on population and city planning.
He said the city, which was designed by the Dutch colonialists to accommodate only 600,000 residents, could no longer accommodate its current population of 10 million. With a total area of 650 sq km, Jakarta's population density is about 13,000 people per sq km.
In certain areas, such as Tambora, in West Jakarta and Senen in Central Jakarta the population density reaches up to 20,000 people per sq km.
Mr Sutiyoso's planned policy to close the city has been criticised by activists as a violation of the right of citizens to travel across the country and seek employment.
Last week, city councillors also criticised him for trying to copy Batam's policy, saying that it was not appropriate for Jakarta, as it was the capital .
"The policy would not work. Jakarta belongs to all people in the country," said councillor Wasilah Sutrisno of City Council Commission E for social welfare affairs.
In the past fortnight, the city administration has evicted thousands of street vendors from the Pulogadung and Kampung RH3mbutan bus terminals in East Jakarta.