KOTA BARU: The Kota Baru Islamic City Municipal Council (MPKB-BRI) has uncovered an organised syndicate that brought in Thai beggars to seek alms around the city during Ramadan.
The syndicate is believed to be run by local agents who bring in Thais using Social Visit Passes before placing them at strategic locations such as banks, mosques, and residential areas to beg.
MPKB-BRI enforcement division head Mohd Hakimie Md Salleh said the activity was uncovered 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," he said.
According to Mohd Hakimie, the syndicate ran in an organised manner, with beggars staying in rented houses throughout Ramadan and begging every day.
"Every year, they come as soon as Ramadan begins, and their activities intensify in the last 15 days when locals give more alms
"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.
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 said he managed to collect between RM1,000 and RM1,500 in the last 10 days of Ramadan by begging at mosques around Kota Baru. - Bernama
