Child beggars at seafood stalls

CHILD beggars have reappeared in Kota Kinabalu, harassing patrons at seafood stalls near the Segama waterfront area.

Christina Suni, 35, said she took her friends to a stall to have dinner recently and was shocked to see children begging at the tables.

“This is not the first time I had come across child beggars, but the situation had worsened since my last visit. It is disturbing.

“These children approached our table about three times. I am concerned as they were aggressive towards people, especially senior citizens and tourists.

“Once, I saw a group of children disturbing and teasing an elderly woman. I told them off. As I was leaving the place, I saw the children had returned and were harassing the woman again.”

Suni said the children looked like foreigners and could be stateless.

She said enforcement should be stepped up in areas frequented by child beggars.

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Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) enforcement director Abdul Mukti Muchlish said regular operations were conducted in areas frequented by street children.

“We are monitoring this problem.

“Those caught would be sent to relevant agencies for action based on their age and citizenship status.”

Mukti said DBKK was aware of the problem and that the various agencies dealing with children or foreigners were looking for a long-term solution to the issue.