New by-laws coming to curb begging and giving alms on KL streets

Beggars may have more money than the givers. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: By-laws and standard operating procedures to curb alms-givers and beggars in the city streets will be announced very soon, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced Thursday.

"We will not fine them (alms-givers) but when we come across those who give money on the street, we will issue them a receipt for RM150 and take the money, which I will then give to properly deserving people," he said during a press conference to present official appointment letters to representatives on the Non-Islam House of Worship committee in Menara DBKL here.

Beggars, on the other hand, will be rounded up and jobs will be found for them, he added.

"We will talk to them and find out what caused them to live such a life in the first place and try to help them as much as we can," he said, adding that some were also part of syndicates.

He rubbished suggestions that the move was un-Islamic, claiming that even in Mecca and Medina, beggars were cleared off the streets.

"There are proper avenues to give alms such as religious organisations and such. Go to them and donate. They will distribute and do with it as they see fit and make sure it helps the truly needy," Tengku Adnan said.