MELAKA: Authorities are investigating a case involving a man dressed as Spider-Man who allegedly brought a seven-year-old girl from Terengganu to solicit money from tourists 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.
“The girl was also made to wear a Spider-Man costume, and we are now verifying the man’s claims,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Kalsom said the child’s welfare was the primary concern, noting that the girl had travelled a considerable distance with the man.
“I rushed to the location after receiving a complaint about the man’s alleged exploitation of the child for begging,” she said.
Kalsom stressed that such actions constitute an offence under Section 32 of the Child Act 2001, which prohibits the exploitation of children, including using them for begging, hazardous work or commercial gain.
“The man informed me that he managed to collect a significant amount of money here,” she said.
Kalsom said authorities would also look into the growing presence of individuals dressed as cartoon characters and superheroes panhandling at popular tourist spots across Melaka.
“These mascots can be seen waving at crowds along busy streets in the city centre.
“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 a police permit to collect donations in public places or business premises.
“We need to determine who is behind these mascots and whether children are being exploited by syndicates to solicit money,” she said.
