Beggars accuse officers of extortion
Begging is frequently humiliating and sometimes dangerous work. It is generally the domain of those of broken body and spirit, who have run out of all other options in life. Beggars wander the streets and markets of the capital, relying on the kindness of their fellow humans to survive another day, always dreaming of a brighter future. It is a difficult life, made all the more difficult by the City Public Order officers who frequently arrest and extort beggars, preying on the weakest of the weak. A number of beggars shared their stories with The Jakarta Post.
Ade, 23, a crippled beggar in Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta, originally from Pemalang, Central Java. He lives near the market with his foster mother:
The City Public Order officers scare and upset me. I have been raided six times so far. The last time they arrested me was last August. A relative paid Rp 300,000 to get me released.
I wonder why they always arrest beggars. We are just hoping for handouts from generous passers-by. I never force them to give me money.
One thing is for sure, we are not criminals or pickpockets or thugs who hurt other people. They should be arrested, not us.
Many times we tell the police or security guards about bad guys. Luckily, now there is a civil defense officer who always let me know if there is going to be a raid.
I earn about Rp 40,000 a day. My mother manages the money for our living expenses, and saves some of it so we can build a house in Pemalang. I was an orphan from childhood, and she adopted me from the hospital.
To be honest, the money I make isn't bad since I don't smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs. I'm clean.
Timin, 29, a lame beggar along Jl. Penjernihan in Central Jakarta. He is originally from Pandeglang, West Java. He is married and has two children:
I'm angry about the fact that the City Public Order officers and the city administration let thugs and criminals go free. They should be arrested because they break the law.
Why should beggars who earn a living on the street be targeted? Worse still, why should I, a crippled beggar, be arrested? And I can't run because my legs are too thin and weak.
So far, I have been arrested six times by the City Public Order officers. I was once dropped off along the Cikampek toll road. They left me in the middle of nowhere because no one in my family could afford to pay the money, usually from Rp 300,000 to Rp 500,000, to have me released.
As a human being, I don't think that someone would choose to work as a beggar. If I had a normal body, if I could walk like normal people, I would never do this job.
You know, I'm actually able to give massages. But only a few people will trust me and my talent. Worse, I can't get around. So the only thing I can do is wait for people who want to get a massage. Sometimes some bajaj drivers come for a massage. If I'm lucky I can get Rp 15,000 for my services.
Thank God my brother and fellow beggars help me beg on the street, carrying me on their backs. We share the income fairly. I can earn about Rp 35,000 a day.
I don't want to make passers-by take pity on me by exploiting my handicap. I just beg for their sincere alms because I cannot walk on my own.
I dream that someday I will have enough money to become a street vendor.
My wife manages our money to support our family and our children's education. I want them to have a better life than me. If there is extra money I save it in case I get arrested again. But I hope it doesn't happen.
Bodong, 21, has been begging for three months along Jl. Penjernihan in Central Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Melati with his wife and two children:
I think being a beggar is a tough and dishonorable job. I used to be a scavenger, but I can make more money begging on the street.
I can earn about Rp 30,000 a day now. I have to make it enough to feed my two children and my wife. But my youngest daughter is prone to illness due to malnutrition.
I have to be watchful because of all the raids by the City Public Order officers during the fasting month. I hate them but I don't dare fight them. Their uniforms and authority frighten me. They are powerful.
I hope my family can celebrate this year's Idul Fitri. That's why I'm counting on alms from passers-by during the fasting month.
One thing for sure is that beggars here should be cautious and on the alert for raids by the City Public Order officers.
-- Leo Wahyudi S