Ramadhan sweep targets beggars

Ramadhan sweep targets beggars

JAKARTA (JP): The municipal administration is ready to block the expected seasonal influx of beggars and squatters during the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan in a special operation called Gerakan Santunan Sosial.

Head of the City Social Welfare Office Emon Sumantri told reporters yesterday that the operation is anticipating the usual influx of seasonal beggars and squatters into the city.

"Actually this is a routine situation. Each year during Ramadhan many seasonal squatters and beggars come to Jakarta," Emon said.

During last year's fasting month around 2,000 squatters and beggars came to Jakarta.

Emon added that the office is cooperating with other institutions, such as the public order office and city police, in order to curb the influx as much as possible.

He said the operation is aimed at "protecting" the image of Jakarta as the capital of Indonesia.

"The municipal administration intends to protect Jakarta's image because irregularities in the capital will hurt Indonesia's image. The administration must take firm action against those seasonal squatters and beggars," Emon said.

The office is preparing the rehabilitation centers in Kedoya, West Jakarta, and in Cipayung and Pondok Bambu in East Jakarta to accommodate the seasonal migrants rounded up in the operation.

He said the office sends healthy beggars back to their hometowns after holding them at the centers for a few days.

Emon said last month the office rounded up 351 squatters and beggars, 10 transvestites and 311 prostitutes.

"The office has sent half of them to their hometowns. It sent 169 people to West Java, 151 to Central Java and 76 to East Java," Emon said.

The head of the Municipal Public order office Kusaeni Budiantoro told reporters yesterday that last month his office arrested 34 street vendors and impounded 47 inter-city buses at various illegal bus terminals. It also impounded 68 trucks at illegal truck terminals. (yns)