Ahead of Imlek, Beggars Began to Pack the Monastery

Ahead of Chinese New Year which falls on Thursday (2/19), thousands of beggars began to pack the Dharma Bhakti Monastery or popularly called as Cing Te Yen, Jalan Kemenangan 3 Petak Sembilan, Glodok Urban Village, Tamansari, West Jakarta.

I've been 12 times to come every Imlek celebration. I have been here one week

Those beggars who generally come from outside Jakarta, came to earn a fortune from benefactors who share angpao (envelopes containing money).

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Relaying on beritajakarta.com , the beggars have started lined up along Jalan Petak 9 and Jalan Kemenangan 3. The condition is also worsened with tens of street vendors at the site.

Ibah (47), one of beggars admitted he regularly visited the monastery ahead of the Imlek. He came up from Bekasi with his five children.

"I've been 12 times to come every Imlek celebration. I have been here one week," he told, Tuesday (2/17).

He admitted every day, he can reap Rp 70 thousand and increased more than 100 thousand three days ahead of Imlek.

"Besides money, we also get a food package, such as instant noodles, cakes and packaged rice meals," he stated.

Yunantra (55), one of the monastery managers said the existence of beggars have become a tradition each year.

"Based on our latest data, there are 1,000 beggars here. Its number could increase up to 2,000 approaching Imlek celebration," he explained.

Tamansari Sub-District Head, Paris Limbong admitted over one week, as many as 20 Satpol PP personnel have been on standby around the monastery.

"It also involves police and army. Usually, after Imlek, the beggars would disband," he told.