Sad sight: Some of the beggars lining a pedestrian walkway near Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Victim: They never ask for food or other items, just money
KUALA LUMPUR: The lively and vibrant streets of Kuala Lumpur are unfortunately marred by the presence of beggars guilt-tripping passers-by to part with their money.
Checks by The Star in Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek and Chow Kit found that there were more beggars in the Pasar Seni area.
According to several vendors, beggars tend to avoid crowded areas like Petaling Street and instead opt for quieter spots like roadsides or bus stations.
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A convenience store assistant, who wanted to be known only as Fahidah, said she sees more beggars at the bus stations such as the Lebuh Pudu Bus Hub.
“Most of the beggars I see are foreigners. Sometimes, beggars will also come into the store to beg from me.
“They never ask for food or other items, just money,” she said.
At the bus hub, a drinks stall owner who did not want to be named, could point out all the beggars in the vicinity.
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“It’s always the same people and they come in their own groups. They come anytime they want and usually stay till the evening when the crowd thins out,” he said.
A phone accessories shop assistant, who gave his name as Himel, said many of the beggars are refugees.
“Usually I see them asking for money from the passengers. Some people do give them money, but they don’t approach my shop,” he said.
Checks at Kota Raya found four women wearing face coverings begging in the area.
They walked to and fro in the same area asking different people for money.
The women averted their eyes when approached and after further observation, they seem to target men who are of a similar nationality.
A pair of the beggars was also seen walking together; one heavily pregnant while the other was carrying a sleeping toddler.
With cash in hand, they walked up silently to men on the streets, gesturing for money.
Within a few minutes, around three men were willing to give them between RM1 and RM10 in notes.
A stall owner at the Chow Kit Road market, who wished to be known only as Lee, said she discourages her customers from giving to beggars.
“When they are given money, they will keep coming back. It is a nuisance because sometimes they will startle my customers by touching or tapping on their arm to get attention,” she said.
Another store owner, known as Yang, said there were more foreigners than before.
“Every day, I see beggars who I think are Rohingya or of other foreign descent, but they don’t cause trouble and will leave when asked,” she said.
Yang, who has operated her stall for 30 years, also said some of the foreigners open unlicensed stalls, affecting her business slightly.
“Nowadays, it is safer here because there is a police station nearby,” she said.
While beggars are a pitiful sight, looks can be deceiving.
Recently, a man in Maran, Pahang, was reported to be able to collect RM500 within five hours of begging at a night market.
His collection from begging and salary as a bus company shift supervisor allowed him to buy a Proton X70 Premium.
The man also received welfare assistance for his hand disability but following this revelation, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry revoked further disability allowance for the individual.
