PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Welfare Department (JKMWPKL) will serve as the main coordinating body on issues related to beggars through the KL Strike Force Committee under Destitute and Children activities.
Under the Destitute Persons Act 1977 (Act 183), a person who begs is defined as an individual who engages in any conduct that encourages the giving of alms.
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The JKM and other enforcement agencies regularly conduct joint, scheduled and ad-hoc operations to pick up beggars.
As such, any authorised officer or welfare officer can pick up a destitute person and bring them before a magistrate within 24 hours.
“JKM is constantly collaborating with other enforcement agencies, including local authorities (PBT), the Immigration Department (JIM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the National Registration Department (JPN) and other agencies according to the case category.
“However, JKM only takes action against beggars who meet the definitions as stated in Act 183,” JKM told The Star.
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It added that JKM officers do not have jurisdiction over destitute individuals who fall under the enforcement of other agencies.
These include non-citizens and immigrants holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards (Immigration Act 1959/63, Act 155); mentally disturbed beggars (Mental Health Act 2001, Act 615); cases of suspected chronic or infectious diseases (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, Act 342); drug addicts (Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, Act 283); alcohol addicts (Minor Offences Act 1955, Act 366); glue sniffers (Poison Act 1952, Act 366); and unauthorised collectors (House to House and Street Collections Act 1947, Act 200).
For such cases, action will be taken by the relevant enforcement agencies under their respective legal jurisdictions.
