Ika Krismantari, Jakarta – This capital, which seems to drain the life out of so many Jakartans, is seen as a promised land by newcomers.

These new arrivals, who flock to the capital from rural areas en masse following Idul Fitri celebrations each year, have no real concept of the notorious congestion, pollution and floods that have become the excruciating daily routine for the city-dwellers.

"This city is fascinating. I can see a lot of fancy cars, the people are all good looking and wear nice clothes," said 50-year-old Sunaryo, who had traveled to Jakarta from his home in Madiun, East Java.

"Nothing much happens up in the mountains. All is quiet there, while here you can get entertainment everywhere," Sunaryo, who said he had visited the city frequently since 1998.

Working as a goat supplier, Sunaryo usually comes to Jakarta leading up to the Idul Adha to sell stock to people wanting to sacrifice the animal on the holiday.

On this occasion however, Sunaryo came to Jakarta accompanying his son, Yudi Siswanto, 30, a truck driver, who has lived in Kedoya, West Jakarta, since 1995.

"We are thinking about opening a food stall here, because this city offers a lot of opportunities," Yudi said on why he had brought his father along.

Yudi and Sunaryo are just two of thousands of newly arrived individuals hoping for a shining future in the already crowded capital.

The 2010 government census showed that Jakarta's population was higher than expected, climbing to 9.6 million people from the projected 9 million residents.

Those figures have sparked discussion over the issue of overpopulation in Jakarta – Urban analysts have predicted the city will only have the capacity of 10 million people by 2030, calling on the administration to act quickly in handling spiralling problems, including the city's unemployment rate of 11.32 percent.

The city administration has responded to the call by planning operations that will control the flow of newcomers post-holidays, when the influx reaches its peak.

Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo has warned travelers against bringing along friends and relatives when they return to the city.

The city's Population and Civil Registration Agency has planned to conduct ID card raids, under which any citizen without Jakarta ID card will be kicked out of the capital. The agency will also collect data directly from newcomers at bus and train terminals.

Despite the drum-beating, The Jakarta Post found no officers from the agency monitoring the flow of people alighting at Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta.

Bus terminal chief Ferdinand Karel Wowor told the Post there had been no officers from the agency until three days after the holiday. "No notification and no reports so far about the number of newcomers. We only record the number of travelers and bus units," Ferdinand said.

The terminal saw 7,315 travelers aboard 451 buses pass through on Wednesday. Passenger figures are expected to peak Friday or Saturday.

With no inspection from the authority, the travelers returning with relatives and friends in town can freely enter the capital unchecked. After arriving, it is not difficult to purchase Jakarta IDs off of corrupt officials.

Among those that have benefitted from the loophole is 42-year-old Sawin, who brought his sister Engkus, 30, to Jakarta from Kuningan, West Java, to help run his business.

"I know that we are not allowed [to bring relatives] but what can I do? My sister is jobless and I need help with my business," Sawin said.