Former Bali Business Woman Resorts To Panhandling To Survive

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A 26-year-old woman who used to own a business in Kuta has been detained by Bali authorities for panhandling on Jalan Ida Bagus Mantra, Klungkung.

During the interview, The woman admitted that she decided to start begging after the Covid-19 pandemic struck the tourism sector last year, causing her to close her spa business in Kuta. “I used to own a spa business in Kuta, and I employed 20 workers to work for me. But the business went bankrupt when the Covid-19 pandemic struck last year, forcing me to close down.” She explained. 

She also said that before begging with her 5-year-old child, she used to work as a construction worker with her husband, but she had to stop doing that as well as it was also affected by the pandemic. The authority from the Civil Service Officer explained that many people have decided to panhandle because many of them typically earn around USD 35 (IDR 500,000) within four days of operation. 

The Head of the Klungkung Civil Service Officer, Putu Suarta said that the authorities have detained 6 panhandlers that consist of 4 adults and 2 children during an operation that was conducted on Monday (7/6). “The adults usually tell the children to beg at the traffic light, while they hide behind the trees and wait for the kids to hand them the money. When they saw us, they attempted to run away but we finally managed to catch them.” Suarta said. They’ve all been transported back to their homes in Karangasem by the Social Agency.