Public told not to give money to beggars

The Jakarta public order agency has called on the public not to give money to beggars on streets, or else it will encourage more beggars to stream into the capital city ahead of Idul Fitri holiday.
 
“[We] expect people in Jakarta who happen to be on streets to avoid giving money to the beggars,” agency head Effendi Anas told a news conference on Thursday.

He said the public could donate money for the poor through places of worship, neighborhood unit or charity organizations.

“But never pour money on to the streets,” he added.

Jakarta has always a sharp increase in the number of beggars during Ramadan, many of them coming from various regions across West Java and Central Java.