Beggar spends RM40 in daily taxi fare to beg

It costs RM40 to travel by taxi from Kuala Nerang, Kedah, to this capital of Perlis.

A visually handicapped man was prepared to part with that sum daily to come here — all for the sake of begging in the streets.

The 36-year-old beggar was one of seven rounded up under the “Ops Selamat" operation here last night.

Perlis Social Welfare Department director Abdullah Ali told Bernama today the beggar was picked up while begging at the Titi Chai night market in Utan Aji near here.

Investigations revealed that the beggar had been receiving aid from the department but the assistance was terminated when it was found that he was involving in begging.
Abdullah said the detained beggars were handed over to their guardians while family members found to be living on the alms of beggars were given counselling, and beggars with no family or accommodation were given temporary shelter at Rumah Sri Kenangan, Jejawi, near here.

Source: The New Straits Times