Begging activity exploiting the visually impaired uncovered

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban says they have detained five Indonesian women believed to be behind the begging activities.

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the Indonesians were believed to have escorted the visually impaired people to public hotspots, particularly eateries at night, while posing as married couples to avoid detection by the authorities. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The immigration department has uncovered a begging activity in Kuala Lumpur exploiting local visually impaired persons with disabilities (PWD).

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said they have detained five Indonesian women believed to have been operating since early January this year.

He said the Indonesians were believed to have escorted the visually impaired people to public hotspots, particularly eateries at night, while posing as married couples to avoid detection by the authorities.

“Those making donations were given tissues in return to create the impression that they were purchasing goods. This activity is believed to have generated between RM100 and RM200 a night.

“Preliminary investigations found that the begging activity is believed to have been masterminded by Indonesians,” he said in a statement today.

Zakaria said the arrests were made during an operation conducted around Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman beginning 10pm yesterday.

Five Malaysians and five Indonesians, aged between 29 and 56, were inspected.

He said two of the five Indonesian women had abused their temporary employment visit passes (PLKS) issued for the domestic helper sector and social visit passes.

“One of the women had overstayed, while the remaining two did not possess valid passes or travel documents to remain in the country.”

He said officers seized three Indonesian passports, several items believed to have been used in the begging activities and RM159 in cash. - FMT