It was recently reported that foreign beggars at at pasar malam in Johor who were detained by immigration were allegedly earning up to RM18,000 monthly.
Similarly, the Kota Baru Islamic City Municipal Council (MPKB-BRI) has uncovered an organised syndicate that brings Thai beggars into the city to seek donations during Ramadan.
Local agents are believed to facilitate this by using Social Visit Passes to bring in Thais, who are then placed at strategic locations such as banks, mosques, and residential areas to beg.
MPKB-BRI enforcement division head Mohd Hakimie Md Salleh revealed that this activity was discovered through Ops Bersih, an integrated operation conducted with the Social Welfare Department, Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department, Immigration Department, and several media representatives.
“They were brought into the state from Thailand with the help of local agents. Most of them are senior citizens, women, and children who are then left in selected areas to beg throughout the day.”
According to Mohd Hakimie, the syndicate operates in an organised manner, with beggars staying in rented houses throughout Ramadan and begging daily.
“Every year, they come as soon as Ramadan begins, and their activities intensify in the last 15 days when locals give more alms.”
The beggars receive only about 30% of their daily collections, while the remaining 70% goes to the agents managing them. They use various tactics to gain sympathy, such as claiming they need money for their children’s education or medical treatment.
MPKB-BRI has warned that strict action will be taken against agents exploiting beggars, with enforcement efforts ramped up to curb these syndicates throughout Ramadan.
Meanwhile, a 52-year-old Thai national reported collecting between RM1,000 and RM1,500 in the last 10 days of Ramadan by begging at mosques around Kota Baru.
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Also read: Foreign Beggars at Johor Pasar Malam Detained by Immigration, Allegedly Earn Up to RM18k Monthly
