Authorities in Johor recently uncovered a shocking case of foreign beggars operating at night markets, raking in a staggering income under the guise of seeking help. The Johor Immigration Department launched an operation in response to multiple public complaints, leading to the arrest of 18 foreign nationals allegedly involved in the organized begging scheme.
According to an official statement, the operation took place at two busy night market locations—Kampung Melayu Majidee and Taman Abad—around 7 PM on February 3. Officers discovered that the individuals were not merely struggling individuals but part of a well-organized network exploiting public generosity for financial gain.
The arrested individuals, aged between 40 and 69, came from various countries:
- 4 from China
- 4 from Thailand
- 4 from Cambodia (3 men and 1 woman)
- 4 from Syria (2 men and 2 women)
- 1 from Bangladesh
- 1 from Pakistan
Johor State Immigration Director, Dato’ Hj Mohd Rusdi, revealed that some of the arrested beggars were disabled and used their physical condition to solicit sympathy and maximize their earnings. Shockingly, each individual reportedly made an average of RM600 per day, amounting to approximately RM18,000 per month—a sum higher than many working professionals earn.
Authorities suspect that these foreign beggars were strategically placed in high-traffic areas to exploit the goodwill of Malaysians, raising concerns that they might be linked to a larger syndicate that profits from begging activities.
Following their arrest, all 18 individuals were taken to the Johor Immigration Department headquarters for further investigation. Officials are now probing their status under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963 to determine whether they had valid permits or were staying in Malaysia illegally.
In his statement, Mohd Rusdi urged all foreign nationals residing in Malaysia to adhere to the country’s laws and avoid engaging in illegal activities. He also reminded the public to remain cautious when donating to street beggars, as some of these individuals might not be as helpless as they appear.
Information Source: WeirdKaya
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