City targets beggars, homeless, prostitutes

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Beggars, the homeless and prostitutes have become the target of city public order officers who want to "remove social problems from the city's streets."

"We will start the raid tonight (Friday night) to clean up the streets," Public Order Agency head Soebagio said Friday.

Administration data says Jakarta has around 5,000 beggars and homeless people. They live in slum areas, including under bridges. It estimates the number could double this fasting month.

The city has no data on the number of prostitutes.

The Public Order Agency's effort is an annual event conducted prior to Ramadhan, the Muslim fasting month, which is expected to start on Monday.

The number of beggars and homeless significantly increases prior to Ramadhan as begging takings increase during the holy month. Most come from Jakarta's neighboring provinces.

Governor Sutiyoso previously demanded Jakartans not give money to beggars on the streets. He advised them to deliver their charity through organizations that can channel the money to the needy.

"Giving money to beggars on the streets only invites more to come to the city," he said, adding they "damage the city's view".

Soebagio hoped his 5,000 officers would be able to bust around 70 percent of the beggars and homeless.

Those coming from outside Jakarta will be returned to their hometowns, while Jakarta citizens would be sent to rehabilitation centers "to get training to be independent financially".

The administration set up 10 joint teams consisting of 20 officers each from related agencies. The teams are tasked with surveying the gathering places of the beggars, homeless and prostitutes.

Soebagio said his officers would also monitor nightspots during the fasting month as stated in the Gubernatorial Decree issued on Monday.

Some entertainment centers have been banned from operating while others are allowed to open during certain periods.