Beggars flourish in Banjarmasin

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Beggars and female and child street singers are becoming more numerous at intersections in Banjarmasin.

On Wednesday Antara reported that this scene was easily found at main road intersections and shopping centers.

The report said beggars included minors who would "hang on car windows" in their efforts to ask for cash.

The head of the women's study center at the state-run Antasari Banjarmasin Islamic Studies College (IAIN), Masyitah Umar, confirmed exploitation of children was increasing.

"Before the crisis these beggars were not visible on main roads such as Jl. A. Yani and Jl. Gatot Subroto," she said in a discussion here. In the talks on empowering people in the crisis Masyitah highlighted the impact of the crisis on housewives.

Confused at how to provide basic needs, many had resorted to begging and exploiting children, she said.