Immigration Department arrests five Indonesian women over alleged exploitation of disabled beggars
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) has arrested five Indonesian women suspected of exploiting a local person with disabilities (PWD) to solicit donations from the public in an organised begging operation in the capital.
The arrests were made during an enforcement operation conducted on Friday night around Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, areas known for high pedestrian traffic and popular dining spots.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation, which began at about 10pm, resulted in the detention of five Indonesian women aged between 29 and 56.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the group allegedly used a visually impaired Malaysian as a means of attracting sympathy from members of the public while collecting money through street begging.
According to Zakaria, the women would accompany the disabled individual to crowded public locations, particularly outside eateries during the evening, while pretending to be husband and wife in an apparent attempt to avoid raising suspicion among enforcement officers.
To reinforce the impression that they were conducting legitimate business rather than begging, the group reportedly handed packets of tissue to members of the public in exchange for cash donations.
Investigators believe the activity generated between RM100 and RM200 in daily collections and had been operating since January this year.
Immigration checks found that two of the women had allegedly breached the conditions of their immigration passes by misusing a Temporary Employment Visit Pass issued for domestic work and a Social Visit Pass.
Another suspect is believed to have overstayed her permitted period of stay, while the remaining two women were found without valid travel documents or immigration passes.
Zakaria said the case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
The Immigration Department said enforcement operations against immigration offences and activities involving the exploitation of vulnerable individuals will continue as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public order and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
