Over half of Indonesia’s 235 million people are poor. Most struggle to survive on less than US$2 a day and about 18 per cent live on US$1 or less.
In the 1970’s Indonesia experienced economic growth accompanied by progressive social development. Then during the South-Eastern Asia crisis 1997/98 the Indonesian economy came close to collapse. Before the crisis, 16.8 per cent of the country’s families were officially classified as poor. At the height of the financial upheaval, the proportion of poor households in the country doubled. Using the $1-a-day measure, it is estimated that more than 80m Indonesians are in poverty.
Although Urban areas were hit the hardest they also recover the quickest, Millions of small farmers, farm workers and fishers are materially and financially unable to tap into the opportunities offered by years of economic growth. Approximately 60 per cent of the population live in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood.
Most of my time through Indonesia was to urban centres in Java - Jakarta and Bandung mostly… so here are a few photos to remind us how grateful we should be even be able to read blogs, because the people in these photos are just grateful to make it through the day. Today is blog action day, so share this post and give generously :-D
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bajaj - Traditional two passengers - five passengers transportation vehicles from India. They were developed with Vespa and later imported to and built in Indonesia.
Another noisy bugger is the bemo. Originally brought to Indonesia by the Japanese government as part of a disaster relief package in 1962
Another popular transport vehicle is luxury European cars. Probably the third most popular imported car in Jakarta. Serious.
Like any capital city in Asia, Jakarta is changing fast. Somethings change faster than others, often its the poor who get left behind. Something I always see going through Jakarta is the contrast of rich and poor, East and West. Its so easy to ignore one of the the other if you live here. I haven’t seen the poorest of people, But I have meet the richest. For me, a foreigner, the contrast is so blatant.
A baby used for begging
The 7-11 grind
Market Under a Bridge
New Apartments overlook a run down block
The Rich south side
Traditional shopping
Western style shopping: Pondok Indah Malls, yes two next to each other
Among other things you can find in Pasar Mayestik are stray cats and animal abuse. I think mr monkey man didn’t appreciated me taking photos without paying him royalities. I dont condone the monkey dancing business.
Pasar Mayestik is a typical market with fabrics, clothing, luggage, dry foods and fruit.Experienced tailors at bargain prices are found here too.
photos from around my uncle and aunts house in depok, off jakarta
welcome to the jungle
‘pecel lele’ / fried catfish - sambal - fresh veges
Uncle’s music and stage business
power struggle
Someones pet monkey
backstreets back
probably stepping into someones home
fucken stinks
street shop is closed
this guy saw me taking photos and wanted one, hes a motor bike taxi driver or OJAG
Indonesian 7-eleven
sweet sweet martabak…cheese and chocolate never tasted so good TOGETHER
pose
faces
