KOTA BARU: Three Thai women who would sell snacks by eliciting sympathy from the public have been rescued in an integrated operation here.
Kelantan Social Welfare Department director Che Samsuzuki Che Noh said the three would sell their wares near automated teller machines of banks,
He said investigations found they were not running a genuine business and would instead appear pitiful to solicit contributions from people entering and leaving ATM areas.
"It is believed some are able to earn up to RM300 a day due to the generosity of the public," he said on Thursday (July 30).
Ops Mesra, led by the Kota Baru-Islamic City Municipal Council (MPKB-BRI) enforcement division head Chief Inspector Mohamad Ali, was carried out in collaboration with the police, Immigration Department and Social Welfare Department.
The operation targeted the homeless at several hotspots, including areas near banks, Dataran Muhammadi and Dataran Bandaraya and was also expanded to shopping areas in Kubang Kerian and Pasir Tumboh.
Che Samsuzuki said eight individuals were rescued, comprising three Thai women, three local men, one local woman and a nine-year-old boy.
He added that the Malaysian child was found with his mother, a Thai national, at a bank on Jalan Kebun Sultan, while his father is a Malaysian citizen.
"Four Malaysians have been placed under the Destitute Persons Act 1977, while the non-citizens have been handed over to the Immigration Department for action under the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.
Meanwhile, he said Social Welfare Department, together with MPKB-BRI had also placed stickers bearing the message 'Bijak Membantu Elak Tertipu' (Help Wisely, Avoid Being Deceived) at public places to raise awareness among the community to channel aid through appropriate avenues. – Bernama
