{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1221199,
        "msgid": "the-organized-beggar-business-1447893297",
        "date": "2002-11-12 00:00:00",
        "title": "The organized beggar 'business'",
        "author": null,
        "source": "",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "The organized beggar 'business' Thousands of beggars have been flocking to the capital city of Jakarta since the fasting month of Ramadhan began one week ago. They have become quite visible at busy intersections, shopping areas and other public places not only during working hours, but also at night time. Stiff competition among them has obviously forced them to prolong their operation hours.",
        "content": "<p>The organized beggar 'business'<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of beggars have been flocking to the capital city of<br>\nJakarta since the fasting month of Ramadhan began one week ago.<\/p>\n<p>They have become quite visible at busy intersections, shopping<br>\nareas and other public places not only during working hours, but<br>\nalso at night time.<\/p>\n<p>Stiff competition among them has obviously forced them to<br>\nprolong their operation hours.<\/p>\n<p>The \"business\" is managed by a \"godfather\" who brings them<br>\nhere from their villages and houses them in a certain place in<br>\nJakarta. The beggars are dropped off at strategic areas every<br>\nmorning and taken home in the evening. In this way the \"profits\"<br>\nare shared by an agreement between the beggars and the bosses.<\/p>\n<p>This sort of organized panhandling is still relatively<br>\nlucrative in Jakarta despite economic hard times for most. A<br>\nbeggar can often collect between Rp 20,000 and Rp 100,000 a day.<br>\nAn amount that is higher than a full-time taxi driver's daily<br>\ntake-home earnings, which average around Rp 70,000.<\/p>\n<p>How is it possible that these beggars can collect that amount<br>\nof money? Because many Jakartans take pity on them, not realizing<br>\nthat it is part of an organized ring, and that they are not truly<br>\nhomeless and destitute as some are led to believe.<\/p>\n<p>It was interesting to hear of Central Jakarta Mayor Petra<br>\nLumbun's appeal to the public not to be taken in so easily by the<br>\npanhandlers. The appeal was a rational one, but that is not<br>\nenough to stop them from operating.<\/p>\n<p>Based on past experiences, rounding them up and punishing them<br>\nwill not stop them from operating.<\/p>\n<p>-- Warta Kota, Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-organized-beggar-business-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}