JIM Busts Indonesian Syndicate Exploiting Local PwDs For Begging Activities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has busted a begging syndicate masterminded by Indonesian nationals who exploited local Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to gain public sympathy in a special operation around Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here last night.
The operation, which began at 10 pm, was conducted by a team of officers and personnel from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division, Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters, following public information and intelligence gathered.
Immigration Director-General Dato’ Zakaria Shaaban said inspections were carried out on 10 individuals involving five Malaysian citizens and five Indonesian nationals.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of five Indonesian women aged between 29 and 56.
“Checks found that two of them had misused their passes, namely the Temporary Work Visit Pass (Domestic Helper Sector) and the Social Visit Pass, one had overstayed, while the other two did not possess any valid pass or travel documents,” he said in a statement.
He said authorities also seized three Indonesian passports, several items used to carry out begging activities, as well as cash totalling RM159 believed to be proceeds from the activities.
According to him, preliminary investigations found that the syndicate used local individuals with visual impairment PwD status to gain public sympathy by bringing them to public areas, especially around food premises at night.
“The Indonesian nationals involved are believed to have led the victims to target locations and pretended to be married couples to confuse the authorities.
“Members of the public who gave donations would be given tissues in return to create the impression that they were conducting sales activities,” he said.
He said the syndicate is believed to have earned between RM100 and RM200 per night and has been active since early January.
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.
JIM stressed that it will continue to intensify enforcement operations and take stern action against any party that violates immigration laws to ensure the safety, order and prosperity of the country remain preserved.