The “Silver Man” and Maternity Beggars Are Widespread in Pontianak City

Maternity beggars of all kinds fill the intersections of Pontianak City, West Kalimantan. It requires integrated treatment to eradicate it.

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

"Silver man" at a red light intersection in North Pontianak District, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Sunday (5/5/2024).

PONTIANAK, KOMPAS — Beggars of various types are increasingly widespread in a number of cities, including Pontianak City, West Kalimantan. Some were dressed in rags or even "silver men" style. Not a few people beg for their stomachs, but there are also those who beg for their breasts.

The presence of beggars at a number of red lights in Pontianak City has existed for the last ten years. Usually dressed shabbily, as is.

Only recently did silver humans appear. They paint the body with silver paint, then install the style at road intersections, usually right around red lights. They then asked passing motorists for money.

In addition, there are various other types of beggars with different appearances. During the rain, there is a group of people carrying mineral water bottles filled with foamy water similar to soap water. They spray the water inside the bottle onto the windows of vehicles that stop at red lights, then pretend to clean them. Afterwards, they ask for money as a sign of appreciation.

Beggars appear at a number of red lights, one of which is at a location that Pontianak City residents often call Simpang Garuda, namely the intersection of Jalan Tanjungpura and Imam Bonjol. Apart from that, in the East Pontianak District area. Meanwhile, silver humans often appear at red lights in North Pontianak.

KOMPAS/A HANDOKO

The Kapuas River divides Pontianak City, West Kalimantan. The bridge that crosses it is an important piece of infrastructure for Pontianak and West Kalimantan.

Social observer from Elpagar (an institution working in the field of restoring community living space and focusing on social space in society), Furbertus Ipur, on Monday (5/6/2024), assessed that from the perspective of urban development, Pontianak is starting to move towards becoming a metropolitan area. This is followed by all its risks.

The government in Kalbar must anticipate this. In conditions where cities are growing in all respects, the government should be able to respond to population growth and situations resulting from city development.

The presence of beggars and silver men is not only seen as people begging. However, it is also necessary to look at how present the state is in providing employment opportunities so that social problems do not arise. Overcoming it is not just raiding. On the other hand, social assistance so far has only been charitable, that is, people need food and are given rice. People need oil, they are given cheap oil.

"However, it is not yet apparent that empowerment-oriented programs which are often referred to as providing fishing rods," he said.

STEFANUS ATO

Juniarti Sagala (30), one of the silver people in the Thamrin City area, Central Jakarta.

In the future, if this is left unaddressed, it will become a major problem for the city of Pontianak. Moreover, the National Capital of Indonesia is located in Kalimantan. Its impact will affect the cities in Kalimantan, which will also experience a surge in population. Future risks must also be anticipated.

"Local government scenarios anticipating future population surges are not yet visible and have not been presented," said Ipur.

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Based on the data from "Pontianak City in Figures 2023", the population of Pontianak continues to increase within the period of 2018-2022. In 2018, the population was 637,723 people. Then, it increased to 646,661 people in 2019 and further increased to 658,685 people in 2020. By 2021, there were 663,713 people and by 2022, the population reached 669,795 people.

Acting Mayor of Pontianak, Ani Sofian, when met, said that some of the beggars and silver people were residents of Pontianak City and some were from outside the city. Officers from the civil service police unit (Satpol PP) attempted to raid. However, after being raided, the beggar and silver man appeared again.

"This requires mutual awareness. If it is only imposed on the Public Order Agency, it may take a long time to resolve. I want the community to participate in not giving money to beggars so that they will be deterred from begging," said Ani.

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

Acting Mayor of Pontianak Ani Sofian, Monday (6/5/2024).

When asked whether beggars and silver people were recipients of social and poverty assistance from the government or not, Ani said that this had not yet been synchronized. "Hopefully they are among those who should be given assistance," said Ani.

However, there are also many who have already received aid, but still beg at traffic lights. This is because the aid is not given every day, while they need daily necessities.

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Those beggars come from families who are not financially capable. However, there are also those who deliberately choose to work as beggars. There was also a time when, during a raid, beggars were found to have a lot of money.

"Some were arrested for using sabu and were handled by the Pontianak City Social Service. Rehabilitation is also not easy," he added.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

A child begs on one of the pedestrian bridges in the Glodok area, West Jakarta, Wednesday (24/11/2021).

Efforts made to deal with the large number of beggars and silver people at red lights are routine raids and are accommodated in social services. However, the capacity of the Pontianak City Government, said Ani, is also limited so community participation is needed together to tackle beggars by not giving money to beggars.

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