Beggars from Thailand entering Kelantan
KOTA BARU: Foreign beggars have started to cross over to Kelantan in conjunction with Ramadan.
Most of them cross over from Thailand into the state via the many illegal jetties along the Kelantan-Thailand border, while the rest enter the country via the Customs and Immigration Complex.
Sources said the beggars were in Kelantan to ask for donations from locals, and their destinations were towns like Kota Baru, Pasir Mas and Tumpat.
“Like in previous years, they will come to Kelantan to beg because they know local people are very generous.
“Some of them will bring their children along to seek sympathy from locals.”
The majority of beggars enter the state on their own, while the rest were brought in by syndicates.
Sources said from the border, the beggars would travel to the towns either via public transport or private vehicles.
“They normally go to several mosques in the state and perform terawih prayers with locals.
“They will start begging in the morning and move from one place to another before returning back to the mosques before breaking fast.”
State Social Welfare Department director Said Sidup said the department would monitor the beggars’ activities.
He said operations would be carried out with other agencies, such as the police and Immigration.