Syndicate employing Thai beggars for Ramadan uncovered in Kota Bharu

 

A 52-year-old Thai national said he managed to collect between RM1,000 and RM1,500 in the last 10 days of Ramadan by begging at mosques around Kota Bharu. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Kota Bharu Municipal Council says it has uncovered an organised syndicate that brings in Thai beggars to seek alms around the city during Ramadan.

The syndicate is believed to be run by local agents who bring in the beggars using social visit passes and place them at strategic locations such as banks, mosques, and residential areas, Bernama reported.

The council’s enforcement division head, Hakimie Salleh, said this was uncovered through Op Bersih, an integrated operation conducted with the social welfare department, the Kelantan Islamic religious affairs department, and the immigration department.

“Most of them are senior citizens, women and children who are left in selected areas to beg throughout the day.

“Every year, they come as soon as Ramadan begins, and their activities intensify in the last 15 days when local residents give more alms.

“The beggars only get about 30% of what they collect daily, while the remaining 70% goes to the agents managing them.

“They use various tactics to gain sympathy, like claiming they need money for their children’s education or medical treatment,” he said.

The council said strict action will be taken against the agents exploiting the beggars, with enforcement efforts ramped up to curb such activities throughout Ramadan.

A 52-year-old Thai national said he managed to collect between RM1,000 and RM1,500 in the last 10 days of Ramadan by begging at mosques around Kota Bharu. - FMT