Bali Authorities Detained Children Begging On The Streets

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Bali authorities have detained dozens of children, some even carrying infants while begging on the streets in the Gianyar District.

The Head of Gianyar Public Civil Service Officer, I Made Watha confirmed that he detained 34 beggars who were mostly underage kids and infants during their operation on Tuesday (11/5). “Some of them were pretending to sell face masks while carrying a baby to get people’s empathy while begging on the streets. The others were underage kids who were not supposed to be on the streets.” Watha said. 

Watha explained that before the Covid-19 pandemic struck over a year ago, these kids had been begging in tourist areas. “They used to operate in the Ubud area before the pandemic struck, and have been detained before for begging but still decided to go back to the street and pretend to sell things.” Watha added.

Watha was also concerned about those people as they didn’t wear face masks while operating in public areas. Authorities decided to detain them as they violated the Regional Regulation Number 15 Year 2015 about Public Order. They have been transported to Gianyar Social Agencyfor education before sending them back to where they were from in Karangasem.