JKM Reveals That Some Beggars Can Earn A 5-Figure Income During Ramadan
Some were found to make up to RM300 a day.
By Tamara Jayne — 26 Mar 2024, 11:11 AM
Some beggars in Kelantan can earn a five-figure income during the month of Ramadan, according to the Kelantan Social Welfare Department (JKM)
Bernama quoted the state JKM director Said Sudip as saying that based on an integrated operation carried out recently, some beggars were found to make up to RM300 a day.
He also said there is a significant increase in the number of beggars, as Muslims are extra generous during the fasting month.
"The beggars will offer various reasons and tactics, claiming they have no income, not enough money, mental health issues, and using babies to garner sympathy," he added.
He also mentioned the presence of 'imported' beggars from Thailand who feign disabilities to gain sympathy
He said Kelantan JKM caught 25 beggars, aged between 30 and 70, in three operations this Ramadan, as well as another integrated operation involving other authorities.
"Foreign beggars will be handed over to immigration for further action, while locals will be given a stern warning," he added.
"Based on JKM's experience in handling beggar operations, there are a few beggars who use children or babies to garner sympathy from the public," JKM director-general Norazman Othman said in an interview with Harian Metro's Kafe Ahad.
"Among them are cases where the children or babies are disabled, and there are also instances where beggars pretend to be visually or physically impaired or pretend to be patients using medical equipment such as urine bags, wound dressings on their legs or hands, and so on," he said.
He urged members of the public to help in curb the issue by refraining from giving donations to them.
Meanwhile, foreign syndicates are "renting" children to beg in Malaysia
According to the New Straits Times, these foreigners enter Malaysia through tourist visas on valid international passports.
"Once they have reached their target amount of money, they will return to their home country via the Malaysia-Thailand border, either through Bukit Kayu Hitam or Kota Putra, Durian Burung in Padang Terap," Kedah Immigration Department director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said.
He added that these beggars can be found loitering in front of banks, markets, Ramadan bazaars, and around mosques in Kedah.
He also urged the public to contact the Immigration Department if they notice foreigners engaging in begging activities in their areas.
Despite begging being a lucrative "business", the Destitute Persons Act 1977 allows welfare officers to round up beggars for admission into a welfare home for care, protection, and rehabilitation.
A beggar in Pahang was recently found to be earning RM2,000 a month working as an employee and owning a Proton X70:
