Giving a few coins to the poor could soon be an expensive business in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra, where the authorities are attempting to clean the streets of 'bogus' beggars.
According to a proposal drafted by the provincial administration, anyone caught giving to a beggar could soon be fined up to 6 million rupiah (HK$5,000), while the beggar can be jailed for up to six weeks. The legislation is to be debated by the North Sumatra Legislative Council and a decision is expected by October. Although still not endorsed, the law has already been publicised and beggars say they have noticed a drop in their income.
'Before I could get 40,000 rupiah per day from begging at the traffic lights, but I only get 15,000 now. Many people are afraid to give money,' Mak Adek, a 67-year-old beggar, told The Jakarta Post.
North Sumatra claims the law is necessary to get rid of fake beggars who work in groups, often making more than 50,000 rupiah a day, which is double what most labourers earn.
'This is a good income and has encouraged more people to take up begging,' said Nabari Ginting, head the region's social services.
'We can't let this happen. We don't want a begging culture to be widespread. It is embarrassing for the country,' he added.
