Dozens of people from the Poor People's Alliance, comprising various large organizations and foundations, staged a rally Friday at the Home Affairs Ministry, demanding the annulment of the new public order bylaw.

They said the bylaw treated philanthropists as criminals and denied the needs of sex workers, street vendors and street and slum dwellers. The bylaw, among others, prohibits residents from giving alms to beggars.

"We demand the government review the bylaw before it is officially introduced on Feb. 13," Alliance chairman Rido Triawan said.

He said the Home Affairs Ministry had the authority to review and give recommendations on the bylaw prior to its implementation. "We will monitor the review and urge the government to annul the bylaw," he added.