Foreign Beggars in Johor Night Market Arrested for Allegedly Earning Thousands Monthly

On 30 October 2024, the Johor Immigration Department detained four foreign nationals at the Taman Nusa Perintis night market in Johor Bahru. The arrests were part of Ops Kutip and Ops Jaja, targeted operations to curb unauthorized begging activities.

The individuals detained—two men from Thailand, one from Cambodia, and one from Pakistan—were reportedly making up to RM12,000 monthly (approximately SGD 3,500) by asking for donations, allegedly without proper permits.

Public Complaints Prompt Investigation

The raid followed complaints from locals who were uncomfortable with the presence of beggars in public spaces, BulletinTV3 reported. Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus stated that the individuals had been soliciting donations for over three months at this night market, claiming that the funds were for religious schools.

By using this appeal, they tapped into public goodwill and collected substantial sums daily.

Disabilities Used to Gain Sympathy

According to NST, a notable factor in this case was the use of physical disabilities by the beggars to evoke public sympathy. One of the detained men reportedly had a missing leg, a condition which likely increased donations from passersby.

Additionally, such tactics show how certain groups exploit their physical conditions to attract support, making this form of begging particularly profitable.

Repeated Activity Despite Prior Enforcement

Interestingly, the Taman Nusa Perintis night market had been raided earlier in January 2024, targeting similar begging activities. However, these arrests indicate that foreign nationals continue to use these spaces to gather donations despite previous enforcement actions.

Similar Incident Involving Chinese Nationals

In a separate case in late September 2024, four Chinese men with disabilities were arrested in Johor for allegedly using their condition to gain sympathy while begging near night markets. Johor Immigration reported that each could earn around RM10,000 (about SGD 2,900) monthly.

Authorities suspect syndicates were helping them move around. During the raid, the men attempted to escape on a bus to Ipoh but were detained, with RM9,000 (around SGD 2,600) in cash seized.

Ongoing Challenges in Stopping Organised Begging

These cases showcase the challenge of controlling unauthorized begging by foreign nationals in organized groups. Authorities stressed the need for public awareness to help locals make informed decisions and reduce begging as a profitable activity.