JAKARTA ~ The authorities in Jakarta banned beggars and street hawkers this week, arguing the move would help bring order to the chaotic city of more than 11 million people, the governor said.

“This is to put order into things of common interest. If we want to put things into order, then we should have a clear legal base,” Jakarta’s outgoing Governor Sutiyoso told reporters after the city council passed the new law.

According to the law, Jakartans must no longer give alms to street beggars, buy goods from hawkers outside assigned locations, distribute flyers or buy or solicit sex on the streets, or live in public spaces such as under bridges.

The law “has been passed and now we just have to implement it in a consistent way,” said Sutiyoso, who soon wraps up his second term at the helm of the notoriously congested and polluted capital.

Violators of the law are to face jail terms of up to 60 days and fines of up to Rp20 million (US$2,127).