Do You Know Indonesia's 'Silbeomaen'? Painting Their Whole Body Silver and Begging on the Streets

The image shows a 'Silver Man' painted entirely in silver, begging from vehicles moving in Indonesia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prolongs, the number of impoverished people in Indonesia has increased, leading to the emergence of so-called 'Silver Men' (Manusia silver) who beg on the streets.

According to Tribun News on the 1st, on the 29th of last month, the North Jakarta Public Order Agency in Indonesia arrested six teenage Silver Men on the street, then had them sign pledges to stop begging and wear masks before handing them over to their guardians.

Silver Men refer to people who spray their entire bodies with silver paint and beg on the streets without wearing masks, holding out money boxes to passersby and drivers.

Currently, the number of Silver Men, which has rapidly increased amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation, is spreading quickly from downtown Jakarta to major cities such as Sumatra and Sulawesi Island.

Most Silver Men are teenagers, and investigations have found that some are forced to beg by gangs or parents exploiting children.

In this regard, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (Komnas PA) strongly urged that sending begging youths to social protection facilities is not a fundamental solution, and that adults who force begging should be criminally punished.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, both those who beg and those who give money to them face detention of up to two months or a fine of up to 20 million rupiah (approximately 1.6 million KRW).