JOHOR BARU: Three men donning frog costumes to solicit donations from motorists have been brought to the Johor Baru Welfare Department to have their statements taken.
They were detained at the traffic light junctions of Angsana Mall and Jalan Padi Emas 1, Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Baru, on Thursday (Feb 26) between 10am and 9.30pm.
“The operation codenamed Ops Khas Maskot was carried out following complaints from the public and netizens on social media about the presence of ‘frog beggars’ in the streets,” the enforcement unit said on its official Facebook account.
The beggars, donning frog costumes to hide their identities, were detained at road dividers, where they were waving at motorists to attract attention.
The trio was released after their background details were recorded with written and oral warnings not to repeat the act.
“We will not hesitate to take action against them if they are found back in the streets begging again after signing the ‘Aku Janji’ (I Promise) pledge before the enforcement officer,” said the statement.
Apart from the traffic light junctions, the department also focused on monitoring the existence of beggars at Ramadan Bazaars who were soliciting money from patrons.
Action can be taken under the Destitute Persons Act 1977.
