Water anyone?

the wealthy area of Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta drown in coffee coloured water

... not only the filth, but also the strong current
Kampung Melayu area, East Jakarta

These pictures appeared on today's KOMPAS - a national broadsheet newspaper. They reflect the dire state of this town and how change is desperately needed. A foreigner friend of mine asked, "What are you going to do about this? You guys should do something about your current governor. He's useless... Get rid of him and get a new one. Someone who actually cares about improving the lives of the people and not just do them for show!!"

I wish it was that simple. But then again, it should be THAT simple. Natural disasters are beyond anybody's control, but when floods become an annual event surely some kind of precaution can be planned. Town planning and special projects should be developed to make sure that things like this don't happen again. A simple comment that this kind of flood only happens once every 5 years is not a good enough excuse not to do anything.

However, the apathetic and apolitical person in me chose to do exactly that. I tried fighting these things after my return from overseas, and it only got me frustrated, angry and tired all the time. I shut one eye and go about my business and life goes on. Hell! If things are really THAT bad, one should just get out and not put up with the shit. Right??