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600 beggars, buskers and others netted during Ramadhan
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Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yambise (left) pays a visit to suspects detained over the alleged exploitation of children at the South Jakarta Police office. The four suspects are alleged to have forced children to work as beggars or buskers in Jakarta. (Kompas.com/Kahfi Dirga Cahya)
T
he Jakarta Social Agency has netted almost 600 people it says has social problems, such as beggars, buskers, sex workers and those with mental health issues, since the start of Ramadhan.
The agency’s social rehabilitation head, Chaidir, said a joint team consisting of police, public order and military personnel netted at least 42 people per day, mostly beggars, which was higher than last year’s figure of 33.
“During the fasting month, more people use the occasion to become seasonal beggars in Jakarta,” Chaidir told thejakartapost.com on Tuesday, adding that monitoring activities focused on 48 places mostly in West, South and East Jakarta.
A city bylaw on public order prohibits begging in the city. Both beggars and those who give them money are liable to punishment.
Raids against beggars and others with so-called social problems are conducted from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during Ramadhan, said Chaidir, adding that netted people were sent to city-owned rehabilitation centers.
He called on the public not to give money to beggars on the streets because it would encourage more beggars to come to the city.
“Should residents want to be charitable, they should donate through legal institutions, such as mosques, orphanages or Bazis [Muslim Charitable Donations Board],” he said. (bbn)
