Jakarta to Apply Sanction on People Handing Money to Beggars
29 November 2013 22:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Administration will hit residents that hand over money to beggars, buskers and the poor with a sanction.
"We want to free Jakarta from all types of poor people (on the streets). That is why we intend to punish those who give alms to beggars, buskers and others," said DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama at City Hall, Central Jakarta, on Thursday.
The man popularly known as Ahok also said that according to Article 40 in Jakarta’s bylaw on public order, each individual or organization is barred from becoming a beggars, busker, small street vendor (pedagang asongan) and street car window washer.
"The bylaw also states that each individual or organization is also prohibited from buying (goods/ services) from asongan vendors or handing over money or items to beggars, buskers, and car window washers," said Ahok.
He explained that based on the bylaw, the punishment or sanction for those who give money or items to beggars is a fine of Rp20 million or 60-day maximum prison sentence.
Ahok said the bylaw has been weakly enforced in the capital city, thus many citizens still voluntarily give items or money to beggars.
"Another effect to these actions is that many beggars or vagrants on the streets ask for sympathy from passersby. This is not right," said Ahok.
ANTARA | RAFIKA SOEGARDA
