KOTA BARU: 13 beggars were rounded up by Kelantan authorities in a joint operation here today.
The 13, including five foreigners, were nabbed in several locations in the town and Kubang Kerian areas.
The four-hour operation which began at 8.30am, involved officers from the state health and immigration departments as well as the Kota Baru Municipal Council.
Kelantan Immigration Department enforcement division senior assistant director Mohamad Md Nor said the operations covered spots such as the famous "Taman Hijau", banks and Dataran Muhammadi.
"These beggars come from several districts in the state. Besides Kota Baru, they come from Tumpat, Bachok and Pasir Puteh. They are willing to travel this far just to seek alms during Ramadan.
"They do not belong to any syndicate. A majority of them were senior citizens and some are those with disabilities," he told reporters after joining the operation.
Also present was Kota Baru welfare officer Azizah Zakaria. Mohamad said some of the beggars were already receiving monthly aid from the Welfare Department.
He said the foreign beggars, from Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, had been handed over to the Immigration Department for further action.