MELAKA: Authorities are investigating a case involving a man dressed as “Spider-man” who allegedly brought a seven-year-old girl all the way from Terengganu to solicit money from holidaymakers in the historic city.
Melaka women, family and community development committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Noordin said the 50-year-old security guard claimed the child was his niece when he was intercepted by Melaka Welfare Department officers at a petrol kiosk in Cheng at about 6pm on Sunday (Feb 9).
“The girl was also made to wear a Spider-man costume, and we are now verifying the man’s claims,” she said when contacted on Monday (Feb 9).
Kalsom said the welfare of the child was the primary concern, noting that the girl had travelled a considerable distance with the man.
“I also rushed to the location after receiving a complaint about the man’s alleged exploitation of the child for begging,” she said.
Such actions, Kalsom stressed, constitute an offence under Section 32 of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), which specifically prohibits the exploitation of children, including using them for begging, hazardous work or commercial gain.
“The man informed me that he was able to collect a significant amount of money here,” she said.
Kalsom added that authorities would also investigate the growing presence of individuals in cartoon and superhero costumes soliciting money from tourists at popular attractions across the city.
“These mascots, portraying various superheroes and well-known cartoon characters, can be seen waving at crowds along busy streets in the city centre,” she said.
“Some were also observed dancing to attract passers-by to take photographs in exchange for money,” she said.
Kalsom noted that such activities may also contravene the House to House and Street Collections Act 1947, which requires individuals collecting donations in public places or business premises to obtain a police permit.
“We must determine who is behind these mascots and whether children are being misused by syndicates to solicit money,” she said.
