"LADIES and gentlemen, very soon you will be prohibited from giving money to buskers,” said the boy by way of an introduction before belting out a song to the passengers on an air-conditioned bus plying the route between Rawamangun and Block M. “But don’t worry. The bylaw isn’t in force yet,” he said with a smile. The steady rhythm of guitar and song swelled amongst the crowded passengers.

He wasn’t just making a joke. On Monday last