Classic Phenomenon of Beggars and Vagrants During Ramadan in Cimahi City

Beggars and vagrants, commonly known as gepeng, have proliferated in Cimahi City, West Java, during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. They are taking advantage of this blessed period to earn a living from charitable donations. Carrying sacks and carts, they sit waiting for handouts on various pavements throughout Cimahi City, such as Jalan Gatot Subroto, Jalan Urip Sumohardjo, Simpang Gandawijaya, and Jalan Amir Machmud. Their numbers are significantly higher than on ordinary days. They gather in groups, waiting for philanthropists to stop and provide food or money. “Yes, these PMKS (individuals with social welfare problems) always flock here ahead of moments like Eid al-Fitr. Usually, they are not originally from Cimahi but deliberately come from outside the region,” said Deputy Mayor of Cimahi, Adhitia Yudisthira, when contacted on Thursday (19/3/2026). Adhitia has already instructed the Cimahi City Social Services Office to round up these homeless individuals and conduct data collection. Only then will solutions for their presence be formulated. “Later, the Cimahi Social Services Office will check the field; it’s often a game of cat and mouse. We will formulate what the solution will be like,” said Adhitia. The Head of the Rehabilitation and Social Empowerment Division at the Cimahi City Social Services Office, Supijan Malik, stated that the homeless in Cimahi originate from outside the area, including Indramayu, Cianjur, and other regions. “So in Cimahi, there are actually many imported homeless people. On average, they are not from Cimahi,” said Supijan. According to Supijan, his office, along with Satpol PP personnel, has conducted crackdowns multiple times, even well before Ramadan. However, once returned to their home areas, these homeless individuals revert to street life. “So some of them are coordinated; they are brought in, and after a few days, they leave. The purpose is some just to beg; outside of Ramadan, they hunt for blessed Fridays. Especially during Ramadan like this,” said Supijan.