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)