Jakarta Deputy Governor Urges Travelers Returning from Hometowns to Stop Bringing Relatives amid Pandemic

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria urged travelers returning from their hometowns following Eid al-Fitr festival to stop bringing their relatives to Indonesia's capital that is already crowded. 

"We regret to inform you that due to the overcrowded city, please stop bringing your relatives to Jakarta as people have done it in the previous years. Every year, after the Eid holiday, people who return from their hometowns always bring their friends and relatives to Jakarta," Riza said on Monday, May 17.  

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the total population of Jakarta as of September 2020 was 10.56 million people and was dominated by people of productive age from 15 to 64 years old with a percentage of 71.98 percent. 

Also read: Jakarta to Close Tourist Attractions to End of the Eid al-Fitr Break

Riza said that as the capital city is already overcrowded and may not be able to accommodate more people. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, job opportunities are limited as economic activity remains slow.

"Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta is already overcrowded," said Riza.

Riza called on the people to find jobs in the areas where they live and not be tempted to work in Jakarta during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Let’s find jobs in our places, in our villages. There’s still much we can do as not all of us have to work in Jakarta, especially during the pandemic when we have to face the new variants of Covid-19 from South Africa, England, and India. Let’s be more careful, "said Riza.

Also read: Visitors Flock Southeast Asias Biggest Textile Center in Jakarta Despite Covid-19

Previously, Jakarta was named the riskiest city globally due to severe air pollution, according to a new report from Verisk Maplecroft. The report, which was quoted by CNBC, said that Jakarta also faces perennial threats from flooding and seismic activities.

The city also suffers from heavy traffic and is flood-prone as it is reportedly one of the fastest sinking cities in the world. In 2019, President Joko Widodo revealed plans to move the Indonesian capital from Jakarta, which is on Java island, to Kalimantan island. However, the project was stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Writers: Singgih Wiryono, Rosiana Haryanti| Editors: Sandro Gatra, Nursita Sari)

Sources: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/05/17/10351851/wagub-dki-minta-warga-kembali-tak-bawa-kerabat-jakarta-sudah-padat. 

https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/02/15/13573391/sensus-2020-penduduk-jakarta-1056-juta-jiwa-terbanyak-di-jakarta-timur.