Beggars flourish in Banjarmasin

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.