KL plans law to punish alms-givers and stop beggars

A Malaysian  minister  is proposing a roundabout way of imposing fines on people who donate money to beggars.

"We will not fine them (alms-givers) but when we come across those who give money on the street, we will issue them a receipt for RM150 (S$58) and take the money, which I will then give to properly deserving people," said Federal Territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor​.

He said by-laws and standard operating procedures to curb alms-givers and beggars in the city streets will be announced very soon, reported The Star.

Beggars, on the other hand, will be rounded up and jobs will be found for them, the minister said during a press conference to present official appointment letters to representatives on the Non-Islam House of Worship committee in Menara DBKL in Kuala Lumpur.

"We will talk to them (the beggars) and find out what caused them to live such a life in the first place and try to help them as much as we can," he said, adding that some were also part of syndicates.

He rubbished suggestions that the move was un-Islamic, claiming that even in Mecca and Medina, beggars were cleared off the streets.

"There are proper avenues to give alms such as religious organisations and such. Go to them and donate. They will distribute and do with it as they see fit and make sure it helps the truly needy," said Tengku Adnan.

Source: The Star