More beggars to flock to city

More beggars to flock to city

JAKARTA (JP): A city official estimates that more than 2,000
beggars from villages outside Jakarta will flock to the capital's
streets during the upcoming Ramadhan fasting month.

Head of Jakarta's social services office, Emon Setia Sumantri,
said yesterday that the heavy influx of beggars mostly would come
from West, Central and East Java.

"They will come here to collect as much money as they can from
motorists and passersby," said Emon.

They knew that Moslems would be generous with their charity
during Ramadhan, which might start at the end of this month, he
said.

"So, they just take advantage of it," he said.

The annual influx has often been considered as creating a bad
image for the capital, and the country as well.

In many cases, the seasonal beggars came to the city along
with their wives and children.

Some even used artificial blood and bandages to create the
image that they needed medical treatment in order to attract
sympathy.

According to Emon, there were people who organized villagers
to work as seasonal beggars during Ramadhan in the capital.

"They just act like bosses and organize and accommodate
villagers for their own benefit," he said.

Handling the beggars had become one of the most chronic
problems for the city, he said.

City authorities picked up at least 15,000 beggars per year
who were then sent to several social institutions in and around
the city, he said. (ind)