Residents leave big city for a new life, for good

[More information on the Transmigration Program]

Fri, 12/05/2008

Many Jakartans are leaving the city, disillusioned by their quality of life in the big city, and are heading for a more comfortable living in remote areas of the country.
"Life in Jakarta does not suit me anymore. I just want to get out of here," Acim, who has been living in the capital for more than 30 years, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

"Jakarta may have a lot of shopping malls, but have I ever been able to buy anything in one of them? Absolutely not," said the 49-year-old man.
-snip-
Acim is among a growing number of people planning to leave the Jakarta under transmigration programs to South and Central Kalimantan, said Ridwan Siregar, head of the transmigration office at the City Manpower and Transmigration Agency.

Thirty families, he said, would depart on Dec. 12.
(more)
He said in the past, residents from the poorer North, East and West Jakarta areas were the most enthusiastic about the program.

However, the agency keeps a quota for every municipality. "For the sake of fairness," Ridwan said.

There are around 200 families from across Jakarta applying for relocation under the programs this year, far more than the 105 families intended by the administration.

Last year, the agency only dealt with 45 families leaving the city this way. "Every year, there are usually more applications than the target set by the central government," said Ridwan. The administration had no authority to increase the number required for departure as it related to the budget allocated from the central government.

From the first batch who left on July 10, 10 families were sent to Bengkulu.

"Fifteen families are still waiting to be sent to Bengkulu. The administration is still preparing their homes," said Ridwan.

A transmigrant family receives a wooden house and a two-hectare plot for farming. For every 100 families, an elementary school is opened, while high schools and public health clinics are located in the nearest regency.

"I realize it is not entirely clear whether my children will continue their schooling in their new home town," said Acim. "But I believe the local administration will figure out a solution."

Official R. Bawie, head of preparations for transmigration families, said each family also received a year's supply of rice, green beans, cooking oil, salted fish, gasoline and soap.

Before departing, families usually undergo a seven-day training program at the center in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, about issues of farming, health and faith.

"Due to current floods in Kalimantan, I think we may delay the training," said Bawie.

Bawie said 80 percent of transmigrants ended up successful after five years, not only because of their farms but also through trade and industry. The remaining 20 percent indicates those who noticed no significant improvement in their living standards.