WHO HELPS THE POOR LOCALS! Foreign beggars enjoying 3-star hotel stay

KUALA LUMPUR - Foreign beggars here could afford a three-star hotel stay from the alms received from the public.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the information was obtained from investigations carried out by a number of government agencies on beggars in the federal capital.

Hence, he said, the government decided to take stern action on alms givers to ensure that money was channelled to those really in need of charity.

“We don’t want to see beggars on our streets. We also want to stop the syndicates behind the begging activities.

“I know there are syndicates which send out children, especially Rohingyas, to the streets to beg and they become the towkays (bosses),” he said today when asked about his statement yesterday that the government planned to impose fines on alms givers to curb begging activities.

“If we catch the alms givers red-handed, we will fine them RM150 and give them a numbered receipt. The fines collected by Kuala Lumpur City Hall will then be channelled to the poor,” he said.

Tengku Adnan said the by-law and standard operating procedure in this matter would be introduced in a week or two.

He said individuals or organisations wishing to give alms could do so through the proper channels like the zakat (tithe) collection centres, state Islamic religious councils and charitable bodies. – BERNAMA