Thai beggars detained at Kulim Ramadan bazaars

KULIM: Four Thai nationals were detained during an operation to round up beggars and destitute persons around the Ramadan bazaars in Kulim, here yesterday.
Kulim Community Welfare officer, Mohamad Zarir Mohamad Khozali said a local man with disability who was begging, was also detained in the operation conducted from 5.30pm until late last night.
"The four foreigners aged between 18 and late 20s, suspected of collecting donations in the name of a tahfiz centre in Narathiwat, Thailand were released with a warning.
"We also seized and handed over the RM577.60 cash earned by the beggars to the religious office for further action," he said in a statement, here today.
The operation carried out simultaneously with the Kulim district 'Bijak Membantu, Elak Ditipu' campaign was carried out at the Kilang Lama and Taman Selasih Ramadan bazaars as well as around commercial areas in Kulim.
Meanwhile, in Kota Baru, foreigners from neighbouring countries have been entering the country on social visit passes with the sole purpose to beg for funds.
According to Kelantan Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff, these visitors would usually arrive here on the pretext of collecting donations to finance the cost of constructing 'tahfiz' (religious) centres in their respective countries.
"As they will usually converge at the busy Ramadan bazaars, the department will also conduct continuous operation around these areas in an effort to clear out beggars in the state," he said when contacted, here today.
He said in the latest operation at three Ramadan bazaars in Kota Baru, Kubang Kerian and Wakaf Baru in Tumpat yesterday, six beggars were detained, adding that four were from Thailand while two others were believed to be Rohingyas.
He said all those detained were found guilty of misusing their social visit passes under Regulation 39B of the Immigration Act 1959/63. — Bernama