Collection of door-to-door donations illegal: Official
Collection of door-to-door donations illegal: Official
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration does not permit any
social organization to collect donations door-to-door, an
official said yesterday.
The head of the city social agency, Emon Setia Sumantri, said
that social organizations are allowed to collect donations only
through activities, like bazaars or other social gatherings.
Asking offices or householders for donations is an illegal
activity, Emon said.
He said permits from the governor for the collection of funds
state clearly the purpose of the donations and how the funds to
be collected -- never including door-knocking.
Many offices and individuals have complained about people,
claiming to be from various organizations, asking for donations.
Such fund-raisers frequently impose on office managers and
private citizens to buy books, photographs of VIPs, calendars and
other products.
The most recent complaints have been lodged with the police by
170 Japanese businessmen. The businessmen said they hoped that
the police would take the problem seriously.
"Don't accept anybody asking for donations," Emon said
yesterday, adding that his office welcomes any reports on such
problems.
He promised to help deal with the problem by asking city
public order officers to arrest donation collectors.
He added that there are currently a total of 852 registered
social organizations in Jakarta.
Toha Reno, an official of the city public order office, said
that his office faces difficulties in handling the illegal fund-
raising activities.
He acknowledged that the matter becomes particularly sensitive
if the people claiming to be collecting money for certain
organizations say the money is for religious activities.
In many areas in Jakarta residents have also complained about
people asking for donations for the building of mosques or
orphanages in remote villages near Bogor or other towns in West
Java.
"I think people should turn them away," Toha said, adding that
in the mean time the city administration intends to continue
combating such activities.(yns)