KUALA LUMPUR: A man who is said to have earned RM500 within five hours of begging at a night market in Maran and owns a flashy vehicle has been barred from receiving a disability allowance, says Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
She said besides discontinuing the RM450 allowance starting this month, the ministry has also issued a warning and requested the man sign a letter of undertaking as a commitment to cease begging.
“Further investigations found that he is currently employed as a shift supervisor in a bus company, earning around RM2,000 per month.
“Hence, this individual is no longer eligible for welfare assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM),” the Women, Family and Community Development Minister said during a question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
She was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) who wanted to know the actions taken by the ministry and JKM over the matter.
The man, who has disabilities in both hands, was reported to earn up to RM500 within five hours from public donations at a night market before the Maran JKM exposed him in February.
The department personnel members also discovered that the man owns a Proton X70 Premium.
Regarding the ministry’s long-term measures to address the issue of destitute and homeless people, Noraini said it is currently reviewing the Destitute Persons Act 1977, Bernama reported.
“KPWKM aims to use this study’s findings as a basis for rationalising decisions related to mechanisms for addressing begging, homelessness, recovery, and enforcement aspects,” she said.
For short-term measures, she said KPWKM is conducting ad hoc, scheduled, or periodic operations in hotspot areas, such as the Kuala Lumpur city centre, that are in line with various related laws.
They include the House to House and Street Collections Act 1947, Section 420 of the Penal Code, and Section 27(C) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for begging, as well as laws under state and local authorities, namely the Local Government Act 1976 and by-laws.
“The solution to this issue does not solely lie with KPWKM. Therefore, cooperation and support from all quarters, including state governments, local authorities and the public, are highly encouraged,” she added.
