Man Who Has More Than $130K Assets Arrested For Begging On The Streets

As I grew up, I was repeatedly cautioned by my Aunt Matilda on one thing:

“Look, you stupid boy. If you see beggars on the street, you bloody well look closely and see whether they really are poor. Don’t go giving your money to those who don’t deserve it.”

In response, I’ll always look up at her and smile.

“Screw you, Aunt Matilda. It’s because your heart’s so wicked that you still can’t get hitched.”

Got flayed till I screamed for my mama, but it was well worth it.

17 years later

As I booted up my laptop, my editor came around with a topic list.

“Eh Zhi Hao, this is the to-do for today. Start from the top as per usual alright?”

“Okay.”

He left, and I started perusing the list.

“Hmm… cockroaches found in landline… gross. Steven Lim releases a new video… kyahhhhh oppa!! Man Who Has More Than $130K Assets Arrested For Begging On The Streets…”

I looked up, and for a moment I imagined Aunt Matilda standing there, cackling at me.

“What did I tell you, you stupid boy?”

This can’t be real.

What happened?

According to Tribun News, a beggar in Jawa Tengah, Indonesia confessed to having assets worth more than SGD$133,000, after he was detained by authorities during an operation against the homeless and beggars last Saturday (12 January 2019).

Identified as Legiman, he was found to possess a house worth Rp250 million (SGD$24,000), a plot of land worth Rp275 million (SGD$27,000) and savings up to Rp900 million (SGD$87,000) in the bank.

“He earned Rp659,000 (SGD$63) today which was a lot less compared to last week, when we caught him with Rp1 million (SGD$97),” said one of the authorities, Udhi Harsilo Nugroho.

This certainly fits Legiman’s own claims, who attributed his decreased earnings to the heavy rain, which deterred people from walking outside.

And for those wondering, Legiman wasn’t the first. Not by a long shot.

“From previous operations, there were even beggars who owned ATM cards and personal savings account passbooks,” stated Udhi.

As it is, Legiman was eventually released and was even allowed to keep his ‘earnings’. However, he was warned not to prowl the streets again.

On the authorities’ side, they’ve reminded the public to stop assuming that all beggars are poor, and to avoid giving them money as it’s considered an offence in Indonesia (with a penalty of Rp1 million (SGD$97)).

Though I have a feeling they won’t stop anyway, just like how Singaporeans continue to jaywalk despite it being an offence.