JOHOR BARU: The generosity of city folk here when approached by beggars has allowed some of them to earn as much as RM300 daily, and up to a staggering RM10,000 per month.
Due to the lucrativeness of their activity, the beggars go all out to escape regular Social Welfare Department (JKM) crackdowns by staying one step ahead, always shifting their “place of business” or operating at erratic hours.
Their main congregation point, however, appears to be traffic lights at busy intersections in the city.
"They carry out their activities at traffic lights because they are able to earn more money (while the lights are red), and it is easier for them to flee when they see enforcement vehicles (which cannot reach them in time due to) traffic congestion,” said JKM Johor Baru officer Normawarni Mahat, adding that many rescued beggars are found to have been earning up to RM300 a day.
Among beggars rescued in recent months here are two Rohingya women in their 30s, four children aged between 6 months and 3 years, and a disabled man from Vietnam.
Normawarni said they also managed to rescue three local men aged between 50 and 60.
“The three (Malaysian men) were previously detained and charged under the Destitute Persons Act 1977 in 2016.
“At that time, they were released with a warning not to commit the same offence.
However, after being caught begging on numerous subsequent occasions, they were sent to a welfare institution last year to undergo rehabilitation,” she said.
Investigations have revealed that beggars are driven by financial problems, unemployment, and alcohol and drug addiction.
“Members of the public who wish to report begging activities in the Johor Baru district can contact the Johor Baru Social Welfare office at 07-2232 606 or Talian Nur at 15999.
“We hope that the public will not give in easily to beggars, as this will only encourage them to choose the easy way to get money and carry on with their activities,” Normawarni added.